Piet Harsevoort

2009-06-26T18:40:00.003-04:00

In the unlikely event that anybody still peruses this blog, I thought I'd make an announcement that may startle you.

I am alive.

Despite what you may think, I have been blogging.

Here is the proof: http://cinephilia9000.blogspot.com

For various reasons, movies have become my hobby, of a sort. I've been watching quite a few on a regular basis, and in order to ensure that I'm watching with eyes wide open I thought I'd start reviewing every movie I consume. Anyway, it's all spelled out (if somewhat briefly) in one of my early posts over there. Check it out if you're interested.

2009-05-18T10:44:00.001-04:00

2007-05-11T16:45:00.000-04:00

Frideo. Here's another performance video of an incredibly talented musician, this time Ed Alleyne-Johnson on his personally-designed and built electric violin. The circumstances surrounding the recording of this video are as follows, from the YouTube description:

Fantastic - This is perhaps the best street performance I have ever witnessed....This is in the city of Chester near Wales. Chester has perhaps the only double decker shopping plaza streets, with a second level up off the street within the buildings, balconies running all the way down the streets....The sound is unaltered from the original and was emancipated at great volume in this old town.

The music is fantastic, with a very unique sound. The setting is inspiring (and acoustically perfect it seems). I wish I had been there!

2007-05-09T18:10:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm back. As you may have guessed, my recent and lengthy hiatus from the blogosphere was mostly due to paper season. I spent most of April on three major essays, one of which I'm fairly happy with. All in all I'm glad that this busy semester is now behind me.

Not that I can take the summer off. The next few months are going to be fairly busy:

- I've got to refresh my high school French in an attempt to pass a challenge test this Fall.
- I'll be doing some reading in Buddhism in order to fulfill the Religious Studies Department's Asian breath requirement.
- Most importantly, serious research for my thesis must now commence.

Aside from these academic requirements, I'll also be spending some time learning how to get the most out of my latest purchase: Logos Bible Software. It promises to be a real timesaver and to allow for deep and focused biblical and patristic study.

If I reflect on the past year at McMaster, it has continued a trend begun in my first year of undergrad at Redeemer. I started that year with incredible confidence in my intellectual abilities and the store of knowledge I had built up. As I came into contact with my fellow students and the faculty there, I slowly came to realize my own ignorance, even on topics about which I considered myself a specialist.

This humbling trend has continued (even intensified!) over the past months. Whereas I was once near the top of most of my classes, such is the case no longer. This too is a blessing. I find myself quite susceptible to intellectual pride, so being humbled is a healthy thing.

All in all it has been a challenging and rewarding eight months. And, from the look of things, more of the same lies ahead.

2007-03-09T16:14:00.000-05:00

Frideo. The following is an incredible example of fingerstyle guitar playing, by Andy McKee of Candyrat Records. I don't how this is done, how a guitar can be played this way, but I think you'll agree that it's pretty amazing.

I actually prefer Antoine Dufour, also of Candyrat, but this track by Andy is not to be missed.

2007-03-07T18:55:00.000-05:00

In a few of my courses, especially one on the historical-critical method, I've been struggle with the issue of how one is to read the Bible. Our readings, tracing the history of historical criticism, have presented us with a variety of perspectives on the value of emphasizing the fact that the Bible is a historical document.

On the one hand are writers like Spinoza. With no real idea of inspiration, he sees the Scriptures as just a bit of historical writing, although one which contains some elements of real truth. He trims away outdated concepts, searching out the lasting wisdom. For example, Spinoza upholds the central command that we are to "love God and your neighbor", but sees narratives involving miracles as a result of superstition and simplistic minds.

On the other hand, we have the venerable Danish Saint: Kierkegaard. He describes the proper approach to the biblical text as follows:

Think of a lover who has now received a letter from his beloved -- as precious as this letter is to the lover, just so precious to thee, I assume, is God's Word; in the way the lover reads this letter, just so, I assume, dost thou read God's Word and conceive that God's Word ought to be read.

For Kierkegaard, critical reading is not really reading the biblical text. If you read God's Word, it must be read as if God is directly speaking to you alone by means of the text. Sure, the historical text must be translated into words we can understand, but such translation is not really reading God's Word. Kierkegaard goes as far as to argue that critical interpretation can only distance one from God's call as encountered in the Scriptures.

Karl Barth is heavily influenced by Kierkegaard in his proposed approach to reading the Bible. However, he is less stringent in his critique of (historical-)critical readings. He writes:

The demand for a 'historical' understanding of the Bible necessarily means, in content, that we have to take it for what it undoubtedly is and is meant to be: the human speech uttered by specific men at specific times in a specific situation, in a specific language with a specific intention.

This is a helpful starting point. There is no sense in denying the truth that the Bible is a historical document and thus can be studied like a historical document. However, Barth does not stop there. On the contrary, he holds that the historical-critical method "assuredly achieves no more than a point of departure for genuine exegesis," which operates with the following maxim: "The Word ought to be exposed in the words." That is to say, the eternal Word of God is to be encountered in its temporal expression in the Bible.

I think I'm with Barth on this one.

2007-03-02T14:50:00.000-05:00

To make up for not posting all week, this edition of Frideo is quite special. The full-length video below is almost certainly the greatest thing ever put on VHS. I am, of course, referring to "Mr. T's Be Somebody...Or Be Somebody's Fool".

Mr. T is an interesting man. He has no talent to speak of. Despite having some screen presence, he certainly can't act. He can't rap. He can't dance. As you'll see from this video, he can barely speak coherently. And yet, there's something lovable about him. His (emphasis on) simple sincerity is hard to criticize.

"Mr. T's Be Somebody...Or Be Somebody's Fool", shot in 1984, is motivational video for kids. Split into about a dozen different lessons it includes all the wisdom a child might need to "be somebody". There are stories, skits, a few rap singles (written by Ice-T!), there's breakdancing, gags... a veritable cornucopia of delights! With lines like "Hey, you! You with the teeth!", and "Have you ever been embarrassed, ashamed, or exposed? I mean, done something so absoludicrous that you wished you could have moved to a deserted island?", you won't want to miss a minute. My personal favorite lessons are "Roots", "Recouping", "Friendship", "Mr. T's Tale",...let's face it, it's all pure gold. Enjoy!

2007-02-23T12:16:00.000-05:00

Frideo. This weeks installment is a music video, a cover of Roger Miller's "King of the Road" by The Proclaimers. Who are The Proclaimers, you ask? Well, they are the Scottish one-hit wonder that blessed the world with the single "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". You know, "... I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more..."

Anyways, I'm not entirely sure why I like this video so much. Part of it is the accent, I think. It is also an interesting combination of cool and nerd: I love the way the two pull off wearing the tuxes and the bling and those giant glasses. The song itself is incredibly catchy, and this laid-back rendition is excellent. Check it out:

2007-02-20T22:04:00.000-05:00

I was browsing the BBC World Service and came across this story concerning an ultimatum issued by the Anglican church to the Episcopal church in the States "demanding an end to the appointment of gay clergy and the blessing of same-sex couples." The article itself is not my focus here, but rather it's discussion in the BBC's "Have Your Say" feature, including this gem:

I am an Englishman,formerly a member of the CofE and now an Episcopal Priest in the Diocese of Central PA;also a member of the Human Sexuality Commission in the diocese.I appreciate the struggle the Anglican Communion is experiencing but I do not believe an ultimatum to the house of Bishops in US will help matters. the Bible is not about sex but peace & justice and equal access to God regardless of race, gender, or sexual inclination.

The Rev'd Stephen C. Casey, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

The entire discussion is a fairly horrendous mix of the "expert" opinions of people who have no clue about what Christianity really is, but Rev. Casey's submission stood out. How can someone who has studied God's Word say something like "the Bible is not about sex," as if one's private life is irrelevant or somehow outside the scope of God's purview? Against the "Rev'd Casey", Abraham Kuyper proclaims:

"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: 'Mine!'"

2007-02-16T19:35:00.000-05:00

Frideo. This is the first installment of what I hope will be a weekly feature of this blog. I spend a good bit of time each week browsing YouTube, Google Video, and other such sites (it's a great way to procrastinate), and now you can share in the wealth I've uncovered. I may post music videos, like "Song of the Week" over at Boerishbwoy, or just something I thought was funny, or perhaps something from the world of cinema, classic scenes or trailers for movies I'd recommend. Basically whatever strikes my fancy is fair game.

Because this is the first installment of Frideo, I've decided to go for a double feature. The following two videos are, I think, quite clever. They are impromptu musicals arranged by Prangstrüp, the first in a university library and the second in a lecture. Enjoy!

2007-02-14T20:54:00.000-05:00

So, I decided to spring-clean my blog since I had a snow day today. (Interestingly enough, I believe this is the first time I was ever disappointed to have an unexpected day off from class. We were set to discuss selections from Kierkegaard concerning how to read the Bible, and I found his thoughts incredibly stimulating. I was really looking forward to the discussion. Maybe I'll post on it later. Anyways...) I know it isn't spring yet, but as Michael Scott once said, “If you do your spring cleaning in January guess what you don't have to do in the Spring... anything.” As you probably have noticed I've got the new template, entirely because I thought the old one was really ugly. The sole downside is that all my comments have been erased, mais c'est la vie. I've also removed the dead links from the list of blogs on the sidebar, and added a few new ones.

The redesign of the aesthetics comes along with a re-thinking of the purpose of this blog in general. The truth of the matter is, I'm not sure exactly in which direction to take it. My uncle John Harsevoort, a man whom I respect a great deal, has encouraged me to make this space a bit more personal, to share whatever wisdom God has blessed me with. I'm actually quite uncomfortable with the thought of taking up this challenge. To put it bluntly, I really don't think of myself as having a great store of wisdom to share. At least, nothing that jumps to mind. However, this may be because I am not the most reflective person out there. I do think that God has granted me special gifts to help me face the special physical struggles that come with spinal muscular atrophy. And I am convinced that I have this disease with a purpose, part of which is to show an example of the joy and contentment with which God blesses his children even in difficult circumstances.

Now, people seem to assume that my physical struggles bring with them emotional struggles, self-pity and frustration, and spiritual struggles, anger at God for giving me a broken body. The truth of the matter is that I have never really suffered. I do not now, nor have I ever battled sorrow or depression. As for blaming God, I can honestly say that the thought has never seriously crossed my mind. I am incredibly happy with my life, even with its imperfection. This is entirely due to the fact that God has provided for my every need: a large and loving family and good friends to care for whatever physical assistance I require, lots of opportunity for mental and social stimulation, the chance to have a productive life, the list goes on and on.

This is part of the problem. People with wisdom to share are, I think, those who have experienced overcoming a trial or a test of some sort; the greater the trial, the greater the achievement of overcoming, the more their lives have to offer. For me, my physical suffering has been easy to bear because I have been richly blessed with joy and peace from a young age. I have never had to climb Mount Moriah. Yet, still, whatever wisdom I do have to offer I will attempt to share, to the glory of God.

This is not to say that every post from here on in will be meaningful. Be warned that I still reserve the right to post stupid videos, inane thoughts and useless information! In fact, I'm seriously thinking about posting a video a week, care of YouTube or Google Video. Exciting times ahead!

2006-12-25T11:32:00.000-05:00

“And the Word was made Flesh,” he saith, “and dwelt among us.”

Having declared that they who received Him were “born of God,” and had become “sons of God,” he adds the cause and reason of this unspeakable honor. It is that “the Word became Flesh,” that the Master took on Him the form of a servant. For He became Son of man, who was God’s own Son, in order that He might make the sons of men to be children of God. For the high when it associates with the low touches not at all its own honor, while it raises up the other from its excessive lowness; and even thus it was with the Lord. He in nothing diminished His own Nature by this condescension, but raised us, who had always sat in disgrace and darkness, to glory unspeakable.

- From John Chrysostom's "Homilies on the Gospel of St. John"

2006-12-06T20:47:00.000-05:00

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

I haven't been paying a great deal of attention to this blog recently, mainly because paper season has returned. I am presently working on a comparison of René Girard's systematic approach to the study of religion with that of the ever beloved Danish Saint. Next up is a treatment of faith as it functions in Augustine's De Trinitate. Thirdly and finally I hope to explore the Apostle Paul's usage of "ο κοσμος" with an eye to the relationship of nature and grace.

At least I don't have any exams.

2006-11-25T11:59:00.000-05:00

Music Challenge (via Jake)

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense.

NO CHEATING!

How are you feeling today?
Heart of Gold

How do your friends see you?
Whiskey & Gin

Will you get married?
Pretty Maids All In A Row

What is your best friend's theme song?
If Love Is a Red Dress (Hang Me in Rags)

What is the story of your life?
It's All over Now, Baby Blue

What was high school like?
Ammunition

How can you get ahead in life?
Imaginary Love

What is the best thing about your friends?
Yahweh

What is tonight going to be like?
Maybe

What is in store for the remainder of this weekend?
Down by the Sea

2006-10-20T15:06:00.000-04:00

I've Been Tagged
My thoughts on the following words? Let me see...

Subliminal: A characteristic of messages directed at the subconscious mind. If there were greater communication between the subconscious and the conscious, we'd be seeing messages everywhere!

Abomination: Idolatry, incest, child sacrifice, unjust weights and measures, adultery, homosexuality, etc. These are some of the abominations described in Leviticus and Deuteronomy; actions that, with utter rebelliousness at heart, fly in the face of God's loving design for his creation.

Tirade: A lengthy angry rant, as perfected by one of my favourite actors, Klaus Kinski.

Pretension: What someone is accused of when they say that one of their favourite actors is Klaus Kinski.

2006-10-05T15:08:00.000-04:00

Get Well Mr. Ebert

As you might be aware, Roger Ebert is under the weather. He has been convalescing after surgery for some weeks now, which means I've been without his helpful input into the world of cinema. Say what you will about the usefulness of critics and reviews, about forming your own opinion rather than listening to the so-called "experts", but I don't mind learning from the master. Besides which, his writing style is great and his reviews always make for entertaining reading. So: Get well soon Mr. Ebert. I look forward to your next review.

In case you are eagerly awaiting the return of Ebert, you can tide yourself over by reading the following essay he wrote after writing his 100th "Great Movies" review (also available from his official web site). It is a wonderful bit of writing, and shows the passion for cinema which makes Ebert a joy to read.

Every other week I visit a film classic from the past and write about it. My "Great Movies" series began in the autumn of 1996 and now reaches a landmark of 100 titles with today's review of Federico Fellini's "8 1/2," which is, appropriately, a film about a film director. I love my job, and this is the part I love the most.
We have completed the first century of film. Too many moviegoers are stuck in the present and recent past. When people tell me that "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" or "Total Recall" are their favorite films, I wonder: Have they tasted the joys of Welles, Bunuel, Ford, Murnau, Keaton, Hitchcock, Wilder or Kurosawa? If they like Ferris Bueller, what would they think of Jacques Tati's "Mr. Hulot's Holiday," also about a strange day of misadventures? If they like "Total Recall," have they seen Fritz Lang's "Metropolis," also about an artificial city ruled by fear?
I ask not because I am a film snob. I like to sit in the dark and enjoy movies. I think of old films as a resource of treasures. Movies have been made for 100 years, in color and black and white, in sound and silence, in wide-screen and the classic frame, in English and every other language. To limit yourself to popular hits and recent years is like being Ferris Bueller but staying home all day.
I believe we are born with our minds open to wonderful experiences, and only slowly learn to limit ourselves to narrow tastes. We are taught to lose our curiosity by the bludgeon-blows of mass marketing, which brainwash us to see "hits," and discourage exploration.
I know that many people dislike subtitled films, and that few people reading this article will have ever seen a film from Iran, for example. And yet a few weeks ago at my Overlooked Film Festival at the University of Illinois, the free kiddie matinee was "Children of Heaven," from Iran. It was a story about a boy who loses his sister's sneakers through no fault of his own, and is afraid to tell his parents. So he and his sister secretly share the same pair of shoes. Then he learns of a footrace where third prize is . . . a pair of sneakers."
Anyone who can read at the third-grade level can read these subtitles," I told the audience of 1,000 kids and some parents. "If you can't, it's OK for your parents or older kids to read them aloud--just not too loudly."
The lights went down and the movie began. I expected a lot of reading aloud. There was none. Not all of the kids were old enough to read, but apparently they were picking up the story just by watching and using their intelligence. The audience was spellbound. No noise, restlessness, punching, kicking, running down the aisles. Just eyes lifted up to a fascinating story. Afterward, we asked kids up on the stage to ask questions or talk about the film. What they said indicated how involved they had become.
Kids. And yet most adults will not go to a movie from Iran, Japan, France or Brazil. They will, however, go to any movie that has been plugged with a $30 million ad campaign and sanctified as a "box-office winner." Yes, some of these big hits are good, and a few of them are great. But what happens between the time we are 8 and the time we are 20 that robs us of our curiosity? What turns movie lovers into consumers? What does it say about you if you only want to see what everybody else is seeing?
I don't know. What I do know is that if you love horror movies, your life as a filmgoer is not complete until you see "Nosferatu." I know that once you see Orson Welles appear in the doorway in "The Third Man," you will never forget his curious little smile. And that the life and death of the old man in "Ikiru" will be an inspiration every time you remember it.
I have not written any of the 100 Great Movies reviews from memory. Every film has been seen fresh, right before writing. When I'm at home, I often watch them on Sunday mornings. It's a form of prayer: The greatest films are meditations on why we are here. When I'm on the road, there's no telling where I'll see them. I saw "Written on the Wind" on a cold January night at the Everyman Cinema in Hampstead, north of London. I saw "Last Year at Marienbad" on a DVD on my PowerBook while at the Cannes Film Festival. I saw "2001: A Space Odyssey" in 70mm at Cyberfest, the celebration of HAL 9000's birthday, at the University of Illinois. I saw "Battleship Potemkin" projected on a sheet on the outside wall of the Vickers Theater in Three Oaks, Mich., while three young musicians played the score they had written for it. And Ozu's "Floating Weeds" at the Hawaii Film Festival, as part of a shot-by-shot seminar that took four days.
When people asked me where they should begin in looking at classic films, I never knew what to say. Now I can say, "Plunge into these Great Movies, and go where they lead you."There's a next step. If you're really serious about the movies, get together with two or three friends who care as much as you do. Watch the film all the way through on video. Then start again at the top. Whenever anyone sees anything they want to comment on, freeze the frame. Talk about what you're looking at. The story, the performances, the sets, the locations. The camera movement, the lighting, the composition, the special effects. The color, the shadows, the sound, the music. The themes, the tone, the mood, the style.
There are no right answers. The questions are the point. They make you an active movie watcher, not a passive one. You should not be a witness at a movie, but a collaborator. Directors cannot make the film without you. Together, you can accomplish amazing things. The more you learn, the quicker you'll know when the director is not doing his share of the job. That's the whole key to being a great moviegoer. There's nothing else to it.

2006-09-18T19:46:00.000-04:00

A New Beginning

After four exceedingly enjoyable and enlightening years pursuing my bachelors degree at Redeemer, I am now setting out into new territory again. I have recently begun what should be a two-year stint in the Religious Studies Department at McMaster University, after which I will hopefully have my Masters degree. My major is early Christianity, and I will be focusing on patristics with Dr. Peter Widdicombe as my advisor. This will certainly be a challenging two years, both intellectually and spiritually (and physically, actually: McMaster is not the easiest place to get around in a wheelchair), but one can only grow if one is challenged. So, good times ahead...

One of my first assigned readings, an article on the scholarly debate concerning the connection between religion and violence, raised an interesting foundational question for me as I begin my time as a student of religious studies. What, exactly, is a religion? Not an easy problem to solve. If religion is defined in terms of theism, worship of some sort of deity, what about atheistic forms of Buddhism and Hindu? If religion is defined in terms of that which gives meaning to life and history, in terms of a commitment to something greater than oneself, then do Nazism, Marxism and sports fanaticism qualify as religions? Beats me.

2006-08-28T19:34:00.000-04:00

Campfire! Reflections 2006

Last week I spent another week at Campfire! (The more I use it, the more that exclamation mark in the name annoys me.) This was, I believe, my eighth year of service at this camp, and my 10th week. Apart from one week serving as chaplain I have always been a counselor, looking after and mentoring a group of 5-6 boys along with a co-counselor. I started off doing Discovery Weeks for 8-12-year-olds, but now stick to Teen Weeks for those between the ages of 13 and 16. This past week was one of the easiest I've ever had.

Hobbe Smit and I, known for the week as Hobiwan and R2-D2 respectively, were responsible for the oldest group of guys, four 16 year olds and one 15 year old. The guys were really mature, making our job easy. The best part was seeing them grow spiritually, in terms of their relationships with God and with each other.

Beyond the basic facts, it is difficult to communicate about one's time at Camp. It is a unique place with a unique atmosphere. What I will say is this: At Camp, more than any other place, I am able to focus myself on coming to know God more. At Camp we are free from the regular, worldly distractions of everyday life: bad language, suggestive advertising, etc. This is a good thing, but it is not unique. Any wilderness getaway boasts the same advantage. What I noticed at Camp, especially this year, was a freedom from internal distraction. Gone were the stupid, wasteful daydreams and often improper fantasy life that usually takes up a lot of my mental energy. Instead, I was able to focus my entire mind and will on growing in knowledge of God and on serving him and those around me.

2006-08-28T18:00:00.000-04:00

Words of wisdom from Werner Herzog, one of my favorite directors:

"Centuries from now our great-great-great-grandchildren will look back at us with amazement at how we could allow such a precious achievement of human culture as the telling of a story to be shattered into smithereens by commercials, the same amazement we feel today when we look at our ancestors for whom slavery, capital punishment, burning of witches, and the inquisition were acceptable everyday events."

(This blog entry comes to you from Google's new online word processor, Writely . What will they think of next?)

2006-08-19T09:34:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm Off...
I'm heading off, a little early, to Campfire to spend another week as a counselor. The time I spend at Camp is really a highlight of the summer. But before I go, I've been tagged:

1. One book that changed your life: Al Wolters' Creation Regained

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: Augustine's Confessions

4. One book that made you laugh: I find tiresome most books that are meant to be funny, but The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams cracked me up.

5. One book that made you cry: Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls. At least twice.

6. One book that you wish had been written: The definitive work on the relationship between theology and philosophy/faith and reason. Or, The Great Canadian Novel by Pieter A. Harsevoort.

7. One book that you wish hadn’t been written: Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler.

8. One book that you’re currently reading: A Treasury of Jewish Folklore, edited by Nathan Ausubel.

9. One book that you’ve been meaning to read: The Enneads by Plotinus

10. Now tag five people. Nah.

2006-08-16T15:42:00.000-04:00

Tsotsi (Gavin Hood, 2005)

I have returned from a delightful vacation up north, and a package from Amazon was waiting for me when I got back. It contained one copy of Beowulf, one copy of the African Bible Commentary (which I hope will give me a fresh perspective on familiar texts), and one copy of Tsotsi, the 2005 Oscar winner for best foreign-language film.

Tsotsi, a South African film, tells a stirring story of redemption. The title character, whose nickname simply means "thug", begins the film by masterminding and participating in a robbery-turned-murder on a crowded subway, viciously beating one of his cronies for getting on his nerves and stealing a car after shooting its owner. He is vicious, seemingly capable of any kind of cruelty. Presley Chweneyagae, the 22 year old Soweto native, is incredible as Tsotsi, infusing his character with an air of constant menace.

Tsotsi's life begins to change when he realizes that there is a baby in the backseat of the car he has stolen. He takes the child to his shack, perhaps unwilling to let it suffer the same abandonment we learn he faced as a child. Gradually, and believably, Tsotsi's cold violence is softened as he begins to care for the child. He is not turned into the perfect father, or a choirboy, but rather into more of a human being capable of kindness, of love and of being loved and one willing to face the consequences of his actions.

The ending of the film is perfect. It does not give Tsotsi an unfair easy escape from his past, and yet it shows real hope for his future. The final image is of the young man with his arms raised above his head. It is a pose of surrender, yet it struck me more as a posture of prayer, of reaching heavenwards to God, the sort of thing one often sees at worship during an especially powerful song.

Presley Chweneyagae, as mentioned, gives a great performance which makes the transformation of his character into reality. It is not an easy role, growing from psychopath to sympathetic, and he pulls it off spectacularly. Equally strong is Terry Pheto as Miriam, a young widowed mother whom Tsotsi coerces, at gunpoint, into breast-feeding the baby. She brings a real wisdom and strength to the role.

Zola also deserves mention. He plays a minor role in the film, but also provides most of the soundtrack. His music, South African hip-hop in style, is energetic, loud and angry. It gives the audience a small taste of African slum life.

A lot of gangster films of the last number of years have been exercises in style. Thanks to the work of Tarantino (Pulp Fiction), Guy Ritchie (Snatch), and Fernando Meirelles (City of God), among others, the genre has been given a certain, hyper edited look: lots of camera effects and movement, quick cuts, striking angles, etc. Tsotsi, if anything, is oppositely underdirected. The camera does not add flair, it is simply the observer.

I am a big fan of stylish films. Yet, I think Tsotsi's simplicity is more appropriate to the subject matter than the flashy work of Meirelles. City of God makes being a criminal look good. The audience is horrified by the violence, but can't help thinking that being a gangster must be exciting. It romanticizes a despicable lifestyle. As Walter Chaw writes in his review, "...City of God makes a mistake in making human misery exhilarating--an invitation to rubberneck un-tempered by social responsibility."

In Tsotsi, the desperation, the fear and the misery of the criminal life is not hidden by fancy camera work. It means a more relevant film, and adds meaning and weight to the eventual redemption.

2006-07-27T17:04:00.000-04:00


Due to some computer problems and an upcoming vacation I'll be neglecting this blog for a bit. In my absence, "The Hoff" himself will keep you entertained with his hit song "Jump in My Car."

2006-07-14T11:41:00.000-04:00

The Beauty of Sports

Over the last number of months I've watched a great deal of sports. First it was Canada's disappointing performance in Olympic hockey, then the dazzling Stanley Cup playoffs followed immediately by the World Cup. These days, it seems that almost the only thing I find enjoyable on TV is sports. I've heard some comments lately about the ridiculousness of soccer ("Grown men spending an hour and a half kicking a ball back and forth..."), and of course such criticism can be applied to any sport. So, here is my defense of watching sports.

I think there are two major reasons why sports are compelling entertainment. In the first place, a game of soccer or hockey or a tennis match, etc., often exceeds regular TV programming in terms of drama, suspense and intensity.

Let's face it, most TV shows are poorly written and extremely predictable. But who could have predicted Liverpool's three-goal comeback and eventual victory in shootouts against favourites AC Milan in last year's champions League final? Or Zidane's now (in)famous head-butt in the last game of the World Cup? In every game of any sport there is the potential for classic drama: the clash of personalities under pressure, underdog victories, and so on.

Because of this unpredictability, this atmosphere in which anything can happen, a good sporting event can produce a level of suspense to rival the best of Hitchcock (Alfred, not Ken). There is perhaps nothing as intense, as filled with anticipation and apprehension, as watching a breakaway in the dying seconds of a tied game, or a penalty shootout where everything is on the line. This atmosphere of suspense increases the more one follows and identifies with any given team. The team's victories come to be yours, as do its defeats.

Beyond the drama and suspense, there is another simple reason why I enjoy watching sports. It has to do with aesthetics. At a very basic level, there is something inherently pleasing about watching somebody do something they are exceedingly good at. Professional athletes dedicate themselves completely to mastering a certain set of skills, and it is a simple pleasure to witness them demonstrate their art. I love watching the crafty footwork of Ronaldinho, or the way that Alexander Ovechkin's stick becomes an extension of his body, or Cristiano Ronaldo's graceful diving technique.

This extends beyond sports, of course. Similarly, I really enjoying watching Jesse Cook's hands as he plays guitar, or an Iron Chef at work in Kitchen Stadium. But athletics is one area in which there are artists at work. Because of its aesthetic appeal, and its inherent drama and suspense, I will certainly continue to watch sports no matter how ridiculous it may seem to some people. In fact, I think there is a game on now...

2006-07-07T13:01:00.000-04:00


Watch out Bono! There's a new kid in town.

2006-06-26T15:41:00.000-04:00

It's Over!

My European vacation is now nothing but a very pleasant memory. I met some great people, saw some amazing sights, and had some once-in-a-lifetime experiences. All in all a smashing success, one that I hope to repeat sooner or later.

Now I have to adjust to a few weeks with no work, no studying (for a change), and not much else occupying my time. Thankfully, I have a giant stack of books just crying out to be read. I hope to leisurely rediscover the joy of reading for pleasure. Plus there's the World Cup to watch, as well as five or six movies on the shelf and two seasons of 24 (thanks Daryl) that I have to get through. Good times ahead.

2006-06-16T14:41:00.000-04:00

So...

...we are nearing the end of our trip. Today we took the train to Amsterdam, tomorrow my father and I head to Cologne to see Ghana take on the Czechs, Sunday is a family day, and Monday we prepare for the return to Canada. Our plane leaves early Tuesday morning. I think I'd like to stay another month.

I won't be blogging again from NL. 'Til next time! Doe!

2006-06-13T06:55:00.000-04:00

Our Round Trip in Brief

(This'll be brief on text again as I have to use the time-consuming on-screen keyboard to type.)

We made an impromptu stop at the cathedral in Cologne...

...and were well rewarded. Gorgeous!

The castle ruins in Heidelberg from the gardens:

The view from the castle:

In Paris we took a walk and saw, among other things, the Tower...

...the Hotel des Invalides...

...Notre Dame from the front...

...and from the back....

...the Louvre...

...the Bastille (on the left with des Invalides and the Eiffel Tower in background).

On the beaches of Dieppe:

The Grand Place in Brussels, a marketplace surrounded by impressive facades. There was a Turkish festival going on, with decent live music:

Back in Holland, at the Kinderdijk:

2006-06-05T02:10:00.000-04:00

These last few days...

...have been spent visiting family in Almelo, Zwolle, Den Ham and Dronten. So far the sights, sounds and tastes of Holland have been a mixture of the familiar and the foreign. Houses here seem to be either very modern...

...or quaintly old-fashioned:

We expected to see windmills...

...but this bit of Canadiana was a pleasant surprise:

My room:

Fitting decor for a bedroom in Zeewolde. Just over twenty years ago this whole area was seabed.

Seeing family has been nice, but now I'm ready to travel. In just under an hour we begin a week-long tour throught Germany, France and Belgium. To Heidelberg!

I won't be blogging until we return to Zeewolde on the 12th. 'Til then. Doe!

2006-06-02T07:14:00.000-04:00

Thus far...

Waiting at Pearson...our flight was delayed 2 hrs due to lightning. Jostein Gaarder kept me entertained.

Our sweet ride. There's a platform lift in the back, and a GPS in the front.

Our cozy townhouse in Zeewolde:

The front.

The main floor.

Our backyard.

So far, so good. The flight went well for me. I even got a few hours sleep in the air! Our pad here is great. Smaller than home, but efficiently designed and open concept, leaving loads of room to get around. We did a house exchange with a Dutch couple, and I don't know who got the better deal. (You've got to see my room! It's decorated with a Finding Nemo theme. Very cool. I'll post a pic later.)

When we arrived in Amsterdam yesterday, the weather was miserable: 10 degrees, overcast, wet and windy. Today is a vast improvement: 18 degrees, partially cloudy but dry, and a nice breeze. 5 degrees warmer and 'twould be perfect, but I can handle this. The days are nice and long here; after 22:00 last night it was still quite light out.

Yesterday we had a number of visitors, and my Dutch is holding up. I'm even catching myself thinking in Dutch at times! Today, we have no plans but to take 'er easy. I think I'll do some reading, maybe stroll around town a bit, listen to some music...

Speaking of music (nice segway, eh?) you've got to check out www.iontheband.ca Ion is the latest pop/rock band to come out of the Canadian Reformed Churches...okay, the only pop/rock band to come out of the Canadian Reformed Churches. Their debut shows real promise. It showcases some solid songwriting, strong melodies supported by great vocal talent, and is well mixed, although a little overproduced at times for my tastes. You should really order the album for yourself and see how great it is. I got mine just before we left, and have already listened to it through 3 or 4 times.

Doe!

2006-06-01T16:46:00.001-04:00

Piet's European Vacation (AKA The Brother-Man in the Motherland):

We made it!

More to come...

2006-05-25T16:12:00.000-04:00

The Da Vinci Controversy

Last week I became approximately the 40,000,001st person to purchase and read Dan Brown's thriller The Da Vinci Code. I won't bother giving a synopsis; if you are reading this blog it means you have a computer, are somewhat media savvy and have heard more than you perhaps wanted about Brown's novel. I want to focus on the controversy surrounding the novel and its cinematic counterpart.

The plot of The Da Vinci Code involves a highly erroneous retelling of early Christian history involving a big bad conspiracy. No big deal, after all its only fiction. Except that Brown presents his fabrications as factual history and there are a number of people who truly believe this conspiracy theory. Certain Christian groups have been up in arms about the blasphemy at the heart of The Da Vinci Code. In India, Ron Howard's adaptation was only allowed to play in theaters after additional emphasis was put on the fictitious nature of every element of the film. Catholic film critic Stephen D. Greydanus had the following to say about the movie:

In terms of early Christian history, this is not uncomparable to Holocaust denial, to claiming that it was really the Jews who were oppressing the Nazis (or, at least, “we can’t be sure” who was persecuting whom). Yet the meme that “it’s only a movie” or “it’s just fiction” has largely obscured the fact that the conspiracy-theory conceits of The Da Vinci Code are by and large not novelist Dan Brown’s own flights of fancy, but are based on a lunatic-fringe view of history set forth in “non-fiction” books like Holy Blood, Holy Grail and The Templar Revelation.

While these books have about as much credibility as the likes of Did Six Million Really Die? or The Hoax of the Twentieth Century, which is to say zero, many people who would find the raving anti-Semitism of the latter an insuperable obstacle in a thriller seem willing to overlook the raving anti-Catholicism of the former in The Da Vinci Code.

Having read the book, I can't help but see all this reactionary rhetoric as being a bit overblown. In The Da Vinci Code I don't see a threat to the Christian truth, just a page turner that has been very well marketed. As for the conspiracy theory presented as fact, I think Roger Ebert's response is typical of any reasonable audience:

They say The Da Vinci Code has sold more copies than any book since the Bible. Good thing it has a different ending. Dan Brown's novel is utterly preposterous; Ron Howard's movie is preposterously entertaining. Both contain accusations against the Catholic Church and its order of Opus Dei that would be scandalous if anyone of sound mind could possibly entertain them. I know there are people who believe Brown's fantasies about the Holy Grail, the descendants of Jesus, the Knights Templar, Opus Dei and the true story of Mary Magdalene. This has the advantage of distracting them from the theory that the Pentagon was not hit by an airplane.

All in all, too much attention is being paid to what is an unremarkable book. Other than its surprise-filled plot, Brown's novel doesn't have much going for it. The characters and dialogue are fairly bland, and he has a bad habit of treating his readers like idiots. If you think too hard, certain plot elements don't make a great deal of sense.

If you're looking for something better than Brown, look no further than to Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum. It has a big conspiracy theory involving some of the same historical groups, but Eco, with his encyclopedic mind and expertise in semiotics (of which Brown's "symbology" is a dumbed down version), is a much better writer than Brown. It's not quite as easy a read, but much more worthwhile.

2006-05-20T14:19:00.000-04:00

Well, here we are again...

I think I've decided to revive my blog. Since it has been so long since I've written anything of consequence, I thought perhaps an update might be in order.

I have just recently completed my undergraduate degree. It has been a great four years spent at Redeemer, during which time I met many great people and learned many great things, but it is nice to be done and to move on. Over the last year or so, I've become interested in the Church Fathers and in September will begin working towards a Masters degree in the area of early Christianity in McMaster's Religious Studies Department.

As for now, I'm taking things pretty easy. My exams are now behind me, almost two weeks late because of a lingering chest infection that may or may not have been caused by a particularly nasty Greek final. In the coming week the only thing I need do is finish my speech for graduation on the 27th. After grad, I have a few days to relax before heading out on what will probably be the trip of my lifetime.

On the 31st my parents and I will be heading out to Europe for three weeks. We will be spending most of our time in the Netherlands, seeing the sights and visiting assorted relatives, but will spend a week traveling through parts of Germany, France and Belgium. I even managed to get a pair of tickets to a World Cup match; on the 17th of June my father and I will be watching the Czech Republic take on Ghana in Cologne, Germany. The way things have worked out to make this trip possible is almost unbelievable. As an example, it just so happens that a neighbour of a relative in Holland has a wheelchair accessible van which we can use for the entire three weeks.

All in all, these are exciting times.

2006-03-13T08:07:00.000-05:00

Is Calvinism synonymous with capitalism & entrepreneurship?

A new form of Turkish Islam is emerging here [in Kayseri, Turkey], one which is pro-business and pro-free market, and it's being called Islamic Calvinism.

2006-03-04T16:13:00.000-05:00

The Passion of Joan of Arc

In the relatively brief history of cinema, there are already a number of treasures presumed lost forever. Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1928 masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc was almost one of them. After the original negative of the film and its replacement were both destroyed by fire, this film existed only in a few differing versions whose murkiness and poor image quality made them all but unwatchable. Such was the lamentable situation until 1981 when a complete original print was discovered in the closet of a Norwegian mental hospital of all places! With this remarkable discovery, it has been possible for a new audience to appreciate this classic film which, although filmed almost 80 years ago, still stands as one of the most profound and engaging works of cinema.

This film, as you might guess from its title, is about Joan of Arc, the French heroine who, in the 15th century, heard God’s voice and led a surprisingly successful campaign against the British occupiers of French lands. Joan was eventually captured, tried for heresy and burned at the stake when she was 19 years old. Centuries after her death she became the first person to be canonized after being burnt as a heretic.

Dreyer’s film is no grand historical epic of Joan’s conquests, chronicling only her trial and martyrdom. In researching the screenplay, Dreyer read detailed transcripts of Joan’s trial. The vast majority of what is said in the film, by way of intertitles and dialogue cards, is taken verbatim from these transcripts. It was a primary concern of Dreyer that his film be historically accurate.

Being made in the 1920s, this is a silent film. Thankfully, this specific silent film is very accessible to viewers unfamiliar with the genre. However, the language of silent film is different in a few ways from that of contemporary movies. In the first place, because dialogue cannot be used to define a character or performance, the acting must be broader, more exaggerated than in talkies. Through intense facial expression and overt body language emotions and thoughts are communicated without words. The Passion of Joan of Arc is typical of silent films in this respect, but notable for the quality of the performances given.

The actress who plays the title character, Renee Falconetti, is especially brilliant, giving what may be the greatest performance in the history of cinema. Ebert comments that “In a medium without words, where the filmmakers believed that the camera captured the essence of characters through their faces, to see Falconetti in Dreyer’s ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ (1928) is to look into eyes that will never leave you.” Dreyer himself comments, “in Falconetti, who plays Joan, I found what I might, with very bold expression, allow myself to call ‘the martyr’s reincarnation.’”

Another obvious characteristic of silent film is its reliance on powerful visuals. Here too, Dreyer’s film is typical, presenting a number of stunning images and beautifully constructed scenes more reminiscent of paintings than cinema.

Silent films originally were screened with music accompanying the visuals. The Passion of Joan of Arc, in most or all versions now in circulation, can be watched with an accompanying oratorio written just over ten years ago by noted contemporary composer Richard Einhorn. The music, titled “Voices of Light,” is made up of quotations from female medieval mystics and its beauty is perfectly suited to the film.

In many ways, Dreyer’s film is a typical silent movie. And yet, in many more ways it was, and surprisingly still is, a revolutionary bit of filmmaking. To make this movie, Dreyer ordered that an entire castle, small but complete, be made. Yet this is no ordinary building. The set designer used as inspiration illuminated manuscripts from the 15th century, with all of their unique and inconsistent scaling and geometry. Thus, the set resembles surreal art, some sort of medieval Dali with doors and windows out of plumb and no visible right angles.

Not that we see much of the set. The most profound innovation of Dreyer is that he shot most of Joan of Arc in close-up. In an interview, Dreyer once commented that “Nothing in the world can be compared to the human face. It is a land one can never tire of exploring. There is no greater experience in a studio than to witness the expression of a sensitive face under the mysterious power of inspiration. To see it animated from inside, and turning into poetry.” In this film he explores the human face in great detail, aided by new panchromatic film which allowed him to shoot without the use of any makeup. Finally, Dreyer’s direction is remarkable for a few fancy flourishes. Shots are brief, meaning there are many cuts to new camera angles and perspectives. Unusual and striking angles, from above and below the actors, a great deal of camera movement and interesting blocking give The Passion of Joan of Arc a unique and captivating visual style.

And yet, all of this is not style for style’s sake. The close-ups, the quick editing, the camera angles, and the set all add up to make this the most subjective movie ever made. What I mean is that the viewer comes to share Joan’s experience. As you watch, you are disoriented by the bizarre set. Angry faces shout at you from the screen, hurling accusations from every angle. You are unable to place their position relative to Joan’s. Your disorientation grows. All the while Joan’s face is before you, and more and more you come to identify with her in her suffering and martyrdom.

It is for this reason that at this time of Lent, in which we as Christians focus on Christ’s approaching sacrifice, no film is more appropriate than The Passion of Joan of Arc. It is a Lenten feast for the soul. Catholic critic Stephen Greydanus put it best: “The experience of watching this film brings me closer to Good Friday than any filmed depiction of the actual trials and sufferings of Christ to date. I know of movies more theologically profound or more pious, but none more evocative of what it means to share the sufferings of Christ.”

2006-02-14T18:36:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged:

Four Jobs I Have Had-
Actually, I've never had a real job. I've volunteered at a pet store where I hung out during elementary school, and at an elementary school as a teacher's assistant/special education teacher. As far as paid employment, the only thing I can think of is tutoring and proofreading at Redeemer.

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over-
- The Princess Bride
- Monsoon Wedding
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- Run Lola Run

Four Books I Could Read Over and Over-
- The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis
- The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
- Holy the Firm - Annie Dillard
- The Life of Pi - Yann Martel

Places I Have Lived-
- St. Marys, ON
- Burlington, ON

Four Places I Have Been On Vacation-
- Florida
- B.C.
- California
- Québec City and the Maritimes

Four Websites I Visit Daily-
- rottentomatoes.com
- BBC World Service
- Sacred Space
- IMDb

Four Favourite Foods-
- Steak, medium rare
- Spaghetti
- Cantonese chow mein
- Fajitas

Four Favourite Beers-
I'm afraid I don't drink beer. Rye and Coke is my drink of choice.

Four Favourite Non-alcoholic Drinks
- Iced Tea
- Chocolate Milk
- Cranberry-whatever Juice
- Coca Cola Classic

Four Favourite Musicians-
- Jesse Cook
- The Dears
- The Flaming Lips
- Radiohead
(These are not actually my favourites, but are some of my favourites. I find it impossible to make a definitive list.)

Four Places I Would Like To Be Right Now-
- Athens, Greece
- Bamako, Mali
- Oxford, England
- Nairobi, Kenya

Last four books you have read-
- The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the African Written by Himself
- Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali
- The Life and Times of Michael K. - J. M. Coetzee
- The Sermon on the Mount According to Vedanta - Swami Prabhavananda

Last four movies you have seen-
- M (Fritz Lang, 1931) ****/**** Masterpiece
- Tokyo Story (Yasujiro Ozu, 1953) No rating yet, as I need to view it again. A bit slow and stylistically disconcerting at times, but a truly profound film about everyday people and events. It has been hailed by some critics as the greatest movie ever made .
- Monsoon Wedding (Mira Nair, 2002) ***.5/****
- The Third Man (Carol Reed, 1949) ****/**** Masterpiece

What's on your desk right now?
- Notes for Religion 320: Biblical Hermeneutics (midterm tomorrow)

2005-10-06T14:05:00.000-04:00

For John den Boer; my first published movie review, of Run Lola Run in Redeemer's newspaper The Crown.

Expanding Your Cinematic Horizons- Run Lola Run

If you were to ask someone, "What are the greatest books ever written?", you likely wouldn't take their answer too seriously if it consisted only of works published by Americans in the last 100 years. Such a list would be shortsighted, biased towards a certain time and place, and too limited in scope to be accurate. And yet, though this myopia is unacceptable in terms of literature it may be closer to the norm when it comes to the world of film.

Despite the fact that filmmaking goes back 100 years now and takes place all over the world, it seems that the sole focus of the average North American moviegoer is on the productions of Hollywood in the past 20 years. Before us is a cinematic feast set with delicacies from around the world, some of them aged for decades like a sumptuous wine; limiting oneself to the productions of North America in the past decade or two is like turning down the feast for a Big Mac combo.

Furthermore, the average, contemporary Hollywood blockbuster is not characterized by its quality in terms of being innovative, thought-provoking or important. It is mildly entertaining but forgettable fluff. So: If you're sick of lukewarm Hollywood fare which seems to rehash the same ingredients in every other plot, if you've had enough of seeing the same movie under eight different titles, if you're looking for something a little bit different, something innovative, a film you can ponder for days afterwards rather than one that is forgotten as soon as the credits appear, you may very well be reading in the right place.

The purpose of this article, which I hope will be the first in a series, is to recommend quality movies that you probably have not seen, perhaps not even heard of, movies that will entertain you but also engage you intellectually, emotionally, spiritually. Be prepared to expand your cinematic horizons and to reap the rewards!

Which brings me, at long last, to the main course of this article: Run Lola Run (1999). This German film, directed by Tom Tykwer, began as a single image. Tykwer, writes: “I always start with the image. I get an image in my head and I start wanting to get it moving, to build a story around it and then make a film out of it. In Run Lola Run it was a woman running.” Around this central image Tykwer builds the story of Lola (Franka Potente, who you may recognize from The Bourne Identity) and her boyfriend Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu), a low-level hood.

Manni is given a simple job by his boss Ronnie: deliver some goods for cash, carry the cash to Ronnie. The job goes well until Manni, forgetting himself, leaves the bag of money on a subway where it is picked up by a passing vagrant. Frantic for help, he telephones Lola despairing that if he doesn't deliver the 100,000 marks in 20 minutes Ronnie will kill him. And here Lola takes off, her entire being focused on saving the life of her amour. The movie then progresses through three different versions of the following 20 minutes, each of which differs greatly in an exploration of the interplay of random occurrences, the "butterfly effect", and fate or destiny. The way the story progresses is riveting, the main characters interesting and lovable in their own ways, and the themes intriguing.

But the best part of Run Lola Run is not the substance of the film, but rather its style. As suits its central image of a running woman, this movie is bursting with energy. The adjective “kinetic” is often used by film critics; no film deserves it more than this one. The sequences in which we see Lola sprinting to save Manni, her crimson mane wind-tossed, play with such an intensity that the viewer soon finds himself as exhausted as she must be. These scenes are framed by slower paced interludes, conversations between key players in the story, which both deepen our appreciation for our main characters and allow us to catch our breath before Lola resumes her race against the clock.

The soundtrack is also notable: a Techno blend of tunes which pound in tempo with your racing heart, each perfectly suited to the electric visuals it accompanies. It might be said that this movie is the best and longest music video ever shot, but such a description doesn't do Tykwer's creation justice.

I think watching Run Lola Run is the perfect way to begin a foray into foreign films. It is an audiovisual treat perfectly suited to the so-called MTV generation, yet one that provides delicious food for thought. There's a lot to savour in this small, 81 minute package.

2004-11-22T21:11:00.000-05:00

Sticky Wicket Isn't Cricket:Does Anybody Understanding The Following BBC Article
India openers in impressive reply
First Test, Kanpur (day three, stumps): South Africa 510-9 v India 185-0

Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir put on the highest ever opening partnership for India against South Africa on day three of the first Test in Kanpur.
Sehwag and Gambhir were both unbeaten on 85 as India moved to 185-0 in reply to the tourists' score of 510-9.
Both men were given a life by debutant wicket-keeper Thami Tsolekile.
The 24-year-old failed to lay a glove on a stumping chance offered by Sehwag on 29 and then immediately missed a chance to catch Gambhir.
The start of play was delayed until after lunch because of dense fog at the Green Park stadium.
The visitors resumed on 459-7 and went for quick runs, losing Tsolekile to Anil Kumble for nine and Robin Peterson, who was bowled by Harbhajan Singh after smashing 34 from just 24 balls.
Shaun Pollock finished unbeaten on 44.
The wicket continued to resemble a virtual featherbed as Sehwag and Gambhir built a confident foundation.
Both men had their let-offs just before tea.
Peterson was particularly unlucky as he had caused Sehwag plenty of problems and the batsman would have been stumped by yards if Tsolekile had accepted the chance.
Gambhir's edge, down the leg-side off Andrew Hall, represented a tougher opportunity for the wicket-keeper.
In truth, he should have been caught when just five, subsitute Justin Ontong spilling a diving catch at gully off Makhaya Ntini.
After tea, Gambhir launched a big six off Peterson over mid-wicket, adding some sweet leg-side flicks and one memorable cover-drive.
Sehwag went to his fifty with a perfectly-executed reverse sweep off Peterson and drove Pollock for three off-side boundaries.
Hall had a couple of close shouts for lbw while premier seamers Pollock and Ntini were not at their best.

2004-11-17T19:55:00.000-05:00

Bruces' Philosophers Song a.k.a. The Philosophers' Drinking Song
by Monty Python

Immanuel Kant was a real pissant
Who was very rarely stable.
Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar
Who could think you under the table.
David Hume could out-consume
Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, [some versions have 'Schopenhauer and Hegel']
And Wittgenstein was a beery swine
Who was just as schloshed as Schlegel.
There's nothing Nietzche couldn't teach ya'
Bout the raising of the wrist.
Socrates, himself, was permanently pissed.
John Stuart Mill, of his own free will,
On half a pint of shandy was particularly ill.
Plato, they say, could stick it away--
Half a crate of whisky every day.
Aristotle, Aristotle was a bugger for the bottle.
Hobbes was fond of his dram,
And René Descartes was a drunken fart.
'I drink, therefore I am.'
Yes, Socrates, himself, is particularly missed,
A lovely little thinker,
But a bugger when he's pissed.

2004-11-15T18:38:00.000-05:00

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to Purgatory!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very High
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Moderate
Level 2 (Lustful)	Low
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Moderate
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Moderate
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Low
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Low
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Moderate
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Very Low

Take the Dante's" Inferno Hell Test

2004-11-06T19:54:00.000-05:00

An Evening of Passion

Yesterday evening, John denBoer and Brian & Nicole Dijkema made their way to my humble abode for an evening of fine cinema. After a bit of chit-chat we made our way downstairs to watch The Passion of Joan of Arc. I've seen a few movies focused on this curious French teenager who would restore France, but none are worthy of being in the same category as this.

The Passion of Joan of Arc is a silent film which focuses on Joan's trial and execution. It was filmed in France in 1928 under the direction of Carl Th. Dreyer and includes French dialogue cards subtitled in English. Not being able to rely on dialogue means that the actors' facial expressions must speak volumes, and one of the highlights of this film is the top-notch acting. Renee Maria Falconetti plays the title character with such incredible force and skill that with a little movement of her lips or eyes she displays emotions beyond the reach of words. Roger Ebert writes that "[i]n a medium without words, where the filmmakers believed that the camera captured the essence of characters through their faces, to see Falconetti in Dreyer's 'The Passion of Joan of Arc' (1928) is to look into eyes that will never leave you."

Surprisingly, the carded dialogue in the movie is also superb. Dreyer researched the actual trial transcripts, basing some of the script directly on the words of Joan and her accusers. Although the questioning is at times a bit obscure, the way Joan evades some of the traps of the inquisitors is beautiful!

Beyond some of the best acting ever recorded on film, the film's direction is superb. With the use of almost constant close-ups and odd camera angles and cuts Dreyer allows the viewer to feel a bit of Joan's confusion and anguish. Adding to this is the fascinating set design: windows and doors are out of alignment with eachother, right angles are rarely or never seen, all of which adds to the surreality of the experience. Some of the imagery is simply captivating, with a depth of meaning in details that would take hundreds of viewings to explore in full.

As icing on the cake, most editions of the film (including the Criterion edition we viewed) combine the movie with Richard Einhorn's superb score entitled Voices of Light. Einhorn, inspired by the film, completed a score to accompany it in 1995. Despite being written decades after film was finished, Einhorn's audio suits Dreyer's video perfectly. The two have become inseparable.

All those who appreciated The Passion of The Christ must see The Passion of Joan of Arc, a film equally as affecting without the use of shocking violence. Read Ebert's review, read Steven Greydanus' review, and most importantly SEE THIS MOVIE! I'd be more than happy to lend my copy out to anyone interested.

2004-10-28T13:37:00.000-04:00

It is now October 28th. Reading break has arrived, 3 days 'til Halloween--I mean Reformation Day--and apparently the beginning of the "Holidays". I saw my first "Christmas" commercial yesterday on TV, an ad from Hershey with Kisses like little bells playing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Despite having the word Christmas in the title of the song performed, the message of the commercial mentioned only wishes for a "happy holiday season" or some such empty phrase. At one time I might have been offended by the lack of Christian content, by the purposeful evasion of dirty words like Christ. But now I'm a little glad, since the Christmas of the PR world, perhaps of the Western world, has replaced God's Gift with cheap products and God's Son with consumption. Sadly, the Christian communities cannot remain immune from this pressure: although they still maintain recognition of Christ as the center of Christmas, Christians focus more attention on shopping than El Shaddai. Nor is this distraction from Christ only evident at Christmas time. Easter is about chocolate eggs and dinnertime, Thanksgiving about turkey and football, etc.
Time for some good ol' redeeming of culture, methinks.

2004-10-21T11:16:00.000-04:00

On G(r)eek

Myself, along with a number of trusty companions, have been studying Greek for a few weeks now. It has already become complex and at times frustrating, but interesting nonetheless. However, we've already come across something that provided me with food for thought.

Some sentences we've been translating are very ambiguous. One could be translated four different ways, and keep in mind that we've barely scratched the surface of Greek vocabulary and grammar. Greek, even beginner's Greek carefully designed for students new to the language, can be rather ambiguous.

I have heard it said that the widespread use of Greek across the known world at the time the Bible was written was providential. It allowed the quick spread of the gospel without the laborious process of translation.

My question is, Why Greek? Why would God have providentially supplied a language so ambiguous that a definitive translation in any tongue is an impossibility? Wouldn't it be easier to have had a Bible with absolute clarity of meaning, so as to avoid arguments over precise translations of passages? Is such clarity impossible in any language? Or, are diverse translations the key to unlocking the riches of God's Word?

I seem to be full of questions lately, yet with no answers. I think it's a healthy state of mind.

2004-10-12T21:52:00.000-04:00

As of this time tomorrow I will totally done with the Intro. Biology course I've been working on by correspondence for the last 6 months. The fact that I most certainly am not a scientist has been confirmed...but the course was good. I especially enjoyed learning about evolution, having heard of it only from (usually not-so informed) detractors to this point. The course was from an American Christian College, so the perspective was Biblical but the main text was not.

The following was the last section of the last lesson. I was to respond to what I had learned about the biological process of evolution and comment on the origin of life, and the prof liked what I came up with. (If you are a biologist, please keep in mind that I am not.)

ON ORIGINS AND GENESIS

Before I begin, a disclaimer: As recently as a year or two ago I would have characterized myself as a proponent of the Apparent Age theory (although I didn’t know the specific term), more than willing to ignore any and all scientific evidence in favour of a literal interpretation of Genesis 1-3. Over the last years I have begun to question this approach, but have not yet the expertise or knowledge to choose any of the alternatives. If this essay seems confused it is simply a reflection of my current state of mind.
With regards to the origin of life on earth, I hold that it must have come about through supernatural means. The first organism would have had to have arisen only with the direct intervention of God into creation. This does not mean that God necessarily called that creature into existence with a Word, out of nothing. Even if the first living being was a cell that evolved from a protocell in the primordial soup, the formation of life from inanimate molecules must have required the inspiration of God. It is for this reason that neither experimentation nor theory can explain the spontaneous formation of the first cell even under ideal conditions. It is simply impossible!
I also have a problem with common descent of all creatures and species from a single living organism. It is commonly held, due to evidence from the fossil record, that marine organisms came first and from them evolved early amphibians with a type of proto-lung system which made their way onto land. My problem is this: it is an astronomical coincidence that these fish developed lungs which, I presume, did them no good, and also developed the desire to leave their only habitat for dry-land to which they were totally foreign and for which they were unsuited. Or take the development of flying birds or reptiles. Flying takes not only precise body structure but also knowledge of how to fly and comfort in a foreign environment. Or how did complex organs like the eye evolve? Until all components were in place and precisely calibrated such an organ would be worse than useless. I suppose it is possible that such strange leaps of evolution might have taken place with God’s Hand guiding many small steps until the process was complete, but such a view involves such complex coincidences as to stretch the boundaries of belief.
My discomfort with common descent is, of course, confronted with much evidence that such is exactly what occurred. And so, I believe I am coming to accept evolution of the species from limited “kinds.” I can easily accept that God created one species of bird from which all birds evolved, and one species of marine organism from which all fish, reptiles and amphibians evolved. I do believe in microevolution and can see how, with sufficient time and variation, extremely different species could result. However, if that common lineage can be traced back to a cell, or protocell, or RNA molecule,…, I know not. I would rather believe that God created a few kinds of organisms, in a mature state, with the potential for development through natural selection. Thus, the “days” in Genesis 1 correspond to lengthy periods of time. Or, as time is also a creature of God, that the creation up to a certain point was called into existence outside of time. That is, “creation time” and our time may not be the same thing. I think this is the best approach to interpreting the creation account. I suppose this is a variation of the Day-Age theory. Time was created as other creatures were created, so that as the “days” pass time more and more resembles its present state.
As to the origin of mankind, I feel I need to insist on a supernatural creation ex nihilo. Although there is so much evidence of common ancestry with primates and a record of intermediate humanoids, if we accept the evolution of humans from apes we loose key theological points. It seems clear from Scripture that death was a consequence of sin. If humans evolved from humanoids, some must have died before reaching “Adam.” I suppose you could distinguish between humans and proto-humans; that Adam was the first true human and his ancestors were not. Thus Adam was the first human to die. However, this distinction seems arbitrary and forced, as the differences between the late humanoids and first human must have been miniscule.
I truly desire to harmonize Scripture with nature, but at this point have many more questions than answers on how this must be done. John Calvin tells us that the Bible is a pair of spectacles through which we can view nature more clearly; I’m still searching for the right prescription. What is the origin of life? God. How? Did He create one organism from which all others, including humans, descended? Good question. Did He create numerous, or limited species, from which today’s species come? Perhaps. There are many answers to these questions each of which has certain insights into God’s revelation and certain gaping holes. Which is correct? I just don’t know, but whichever way God be praised for His wisdom and power evident in creation!

2004-09-16T21:44:00.000-04:00

Long Overdue Update

- I am alive. But busy.

- I've presently got 6 courses on the go including Greek, and a seat on three committees one of which is eating up all my time. This is the reason, not the excuse, for my garvering.

- I love being back at school. It was good to rebuiled certain relationships neglected over the summer months and start to build new ones. I wish Mr.'s Dijkema and Ware were still kickin' around the hallowed halls of Redeemer.

- I am excited about studying Christian philosophy under Dr. Craig Bartholemew.

- I vow to take a philosophy course with Dr. Strauss before my days at Redeemer are up.

- I have a brand new wheelchair. It's going to take me a few days or weeks to get used to it. I apologize in advance for any sore toes or shins that may result from this situation.

- I must study Greek.

2004-08-21T21:07:00.000-04:00

Campfire!

As of tomorrow evening I will be beginning a week-long stint at Campfire! Summer Bible Camp. (Yes, the exclamation mark is an official part of the name.) Campfire! is an overnight children's camp run by my church (that is, Canadian Reformed). It runs for 7 weeks each summer, hosting a number of different week-long sessions for 5-7 year-olds, those between 8 and 12, and teens aged 13-16. I've volunteered a week or two each summer as a counselor for the past five years, and each time I enjoyed myself immensely.

Each counselor is paired with a co-counselor and is given responsibility for the care of 5 or 6 campers. About one third of the campers are from inner city missions in East-End Hamilton. The counselors lead their campers in devotions and activities, and look out for their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. It can be an exhausting week physically (if you get over 4 hours of sleep each night you're doing well) but it is incredibly rewarding spiritually.

This summer I've been asked to serve as chaplain for a week, which changes everything. I'll have no little kids to chase after/keep my eye on, but instead must present a devotion for the counselors at 7:00 each morning and lead a 1 hour chapel service for all present three hours later. I'll also have a few more minor, organizational things to look after, but chapel and devotions are the main thing.

I'm not sure how being a chaplain will compare with being a counselor. I'll have a much shallower relationship with the campers, regretably, but get to spend more time working with the staff. I'll have more free time, but will need it to prepare for chapels and such.

I'm a little nervous. I know the camp routine, I've seen a lot of chapels, but I have absolutely no idea as to how well prepared I am for it all or whether I am prepared at all. I've written up a bunch of things to say, but don't know whether I have enough or if what I'm saying will connect with my audience. What I do know is I'm in for a challenging, rewarding time. It's not necessarily going to be an easy week, but it is going to be a fun one.

2004-08-10T16:57:00.000-04:00

Vocabulary and Communication

I like having an extensive vocabulary in use. Big words (my favourite being floccinaucinihilipilification) delight me and, although they're not as useful in casual conversation, in paper writing they can add needed precision to an argument. However, a certain peculiar tendency has been pointed out to me a few times by a few people: I use a regular vocabulary despite my irregular physical condition. For example, I enjoy going on walks and strolling about the lakeside parks near my home. When I tell people that I plan on going for a walk to the corner, some retort "You mean drive, don't you?" or "Shouldn't you say ride?" usually with a slight chuckle.

The problem is that I don't mean "ride" or "drive". If I say I'm driving or riding to the corner I mean that I'll be travelling by van. I use walk to indicate the speed or state of my traveling, outside of a vehicle, and a stroll means some relaxing time perusing picturesque parkland.

However, I don't want to miscommunicate. Do I, in my special circumstance, need a special vocabulary? I've found that I am usually understood when telling others that I'm going for a walk, but perhaps this system could be improved with original descriptive words for the action of driving a wheelchair. "Wheeling oneself" perhaps; I'm not sure what words to use. The problem is that I dislike using special words to describe myself, words based on the fact that I have a physical disability. Such words serve a purpose, but more important descriptions of myself, I think, would be "Christian" and "student." It is very possible that I'm being overly sensitive in this, but the problem stands. And so, I think I'll stick with my normal vocabulary, regularly incorrectly use the word "walk," and suffer the occasional rebuff.

2004-08-07T18:53:00.000-04:00

Wedding Bells

I returned from a wonderful holiday (in which I got some good reading done) just in time for a wedding this afternoon. Dieuwke Kramer, who most of you will know from Redeemer or know of at least, is now Mrs. Dieukwe Thornton (or Thorton, I forget). Although I showed up late, about 15 minutes into the service, and had to enter at the front of the church just before the vows were read (and my tires were embarassingly loud on the tiled floor of the church), I'm glad I made it. Congrats Dieuwke and Jim, and God's blessing on your life together.

Two weeks ago today my brother Stu was also married. For those of you who don't know Stu, he's a big geek and he likes philosophy & theology. He's such a geek that in the little program on the tables at his and Sherri's wedding dinner one of the "Rules of the Wedding" was Kant's categorical imperative. What follows is the text of the speech I delivered that night. For those of you who know Stu, perhaps it will prove entertaining:

Wedding Speech: Stu & Sherri, July 17, 2004

I had hoped writing this speech would be a breeze. After all, I know Stu better than most people. From the early days of playing Lego versus G.I. Joe and “guns” together in St. Mary’s, to entire days of watching T.V. side by side when the parents were away, to more recent philosophical/theological investigations, we’ve been relatively inseparable for the past two decades. However, I encountered a problem: the Stu I knew, a Stu of old-fashioned suits and odd belt buckles, of trench coats and fedoras, the geeky eccentric who thought, or at least proclaimed, that he was headed for permanent bachelorhood, that Stu has all but disappeared. And good riddance. But his disappearance has left me speechless. He has been replaced by someone rather different: a Stu who wears blue jeans and goes swimming! A Stu who, although you may not believe it, regularly visits Tim Hortons! A Stu who snuggles with a girl, smooches even! This new Stu leaves me with much less to work with; I barely know who the guy is!

For inspiration that would hopefully cure my writer’s block I turned to the great speeches of history. Once I understood what made those speeches great, I began my original masterwork, entitled “The Orangeville Address.” It had a great opening: fourscore and seven years ago I had a dream, a dream that black children and white children would fight them on the beaches and would fight them in the streets and would never give up…but after that it kind of fizzled out.

I decided the best way to write this speech would be to find a theme, some element shared by Stu and Sherri that could tie this speech together. They have somewhat similar tastes in humour, music, cinema, but none of these would give a speech any spark. Then I hit upon it: fantasy and fairy tale! For you see, Sherri is an avid reader of fantasy books and Stu’s life is a fantasy, a fantasy in which regular employment is some shadowy Sauron far away. In fact, I think I’ve even read Stu & Sherri’s fairy tale: if I remember correctly, it was called “Beauty and the Beast.”

You might think Stu and Sherri are not your typical, blond princess and dark, handsome knight fairy tale couple and you’d be half right: Stu is definitely not a bold knight. If you want proof toss a spider at him. Their story also does not have a conventional fairy tale villain, no cruel stepsisters or witch, unless there’s something I don’t know about Lisa or Leanne. But a modern, original fairy tale needn’t copy every element from the Brothers Grimm. I think Stu and Sherri’s fairy tale would fit perfectly into a contemporary genre called magic realism. Such stories contain elements of magic and the highly unusual that are treated as ordinary occurrences. In this fairy tale, the shocking magic element treated as ordinary would have to be the fact that Stu is married. To a girl. A great girl even.

But here we’ve come to a new problem: the fairy tale is now over. What happens at the end of every fairy tale of this sort? The comely lass is wed to the dashing prince or hero. Beauty has wed Beast, so I guess this is The End. And yet, a final line may serve to end a fairy tale: “And they lived happily ever after ‘til the end of their days.” Stu, Sherri, welcome to your new life together. Even though the fairy tale is over, there are still a few pages to be written, I think. Wherever your story may come to be set, whatever the plot has in store for you, wherever the Author leads, may it all be “happily ever after.”

2004-07-24T17:22:00.000-04:00

HIATUS

As of this Monday, I will be on a 12 day vacation to Kilbear Provincial Park. Instead of blogging, I'll be spending my time reading a few quality paperbacks on the beach, doing some boating, and indulging myself on junkfood and booze. (Responsibly, of course.) In my absence, you might do the following:

Listen to music: May I recommend the Pogues, a band that brilliantly integrated Irish folk music with post-punk attitude. The man behind the band, one scary-looking Mr. Shane MacGowan, when in his prime was arguably the greatest songwriter alive. For a good intro to their music check out "the very best of..."

Read a book: May I recommend Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. It's a fairly light story about a troubled working-class British family with the interesting catch that the narrator, a 15 year-old boy, is autistic. His perspective on what is going on in his life is refreshingly original but never forced or gimmicky. A delightful summer read.

Watch a movie: May I recommend City of God, a Brazilian movie about life in a slum of Rio de Janeiro. Kinetically directed by Alexandre Rodrigues, City of God reveals a shocking tapestry of the life stories of people involved in violence and crime. Although their brutal actions cannot be excused, the viewer comes to realize that for these people crime equals survival. This is a powerful movie based on real lives, and it should not be overlooked by any lover of cinema.

'Til next time.

2004-07-13T21:34:00.000-04:00

A Pleasant Arrival

I recently recieved something I ordered from e-bay about a month ago, namely a set of four books in twelve hardcover volumes: classics of Chinese literature. You can see them here. The set includes:

The Outlaws of the Marsh: This is one I read last summer, and tells the story of a number of heroes who flee the control of a corrupt government and band together in a mountain stronghold to repel various attacks. It's a story filled with colourful characters with equally colourful names, and is told in an episodic nature with each chapter ending in a cliffhanger. Very entertaining.

The Three Kingdoms: This, and the following books I have not yet read, so I'll give you a bit of the description from the seller. "Three Kingdoms is a classic historical novel. It was also the first Chinese novel with each chapter headed by a couplet giving the gist of its content. It descirbes the power struggles among the kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu, headed by Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan, respectively, in the period known to Chinese history as that of the Three Kingdoms (220-280). It hightlights the sharp and complicated political and military conflicts of that time, and had a far-reaching influence on the political and military strategies of later ages. The novel vividly portrays the individuality of the historical characters, including Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Besides being a work of epic grandeur, its literary merit has had a great impact on China's literature and art, and social life as well."

Journey to the West: "'Journey to the West' is a classic Chinese mythological novel. It was written during the Ming Dynasty based on traditional folktales. Consisting of 100 chapters, this fantasy relates the adventures of a Tang Dynasty (618-907) priest Sanzang and his three disciples, Monkey, Pig and Friar Sand, as they travel west in search of Buddhist Sutra. The first seven chapters recount the birth of the Monkey King and his rebellion against Heaven. Then in chapters eight to twelve, we learn how Sanzang was born and why he is searching for the scriptures, as well as his preparations for the journey. The rest of the story describes how they vanquish demons and monsters, tramp over the Fiery Mountain, cross the Milky Way, and after overcoming many dangers, finally arrive at their destination - the Thunder Monastery in the Western Heaven - and find the Sutra. Attached are a number of illustrations drawn during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)"

A Dream of Red Mansions: "The celebrated Chinese classic novel is a masterpiece of realism written in the middle of the-eighteenth century. Taking as its background the decline of several related big families and drawing much from his own experiences, the author Cao Xueqin (?-c.1763) focused on the tragic love between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu and, in the meantime, provides a panorama of the lives of people of various levels in the degenerating empire. But he left the work unfinished (or the last 40 chapters lost). Gao E (c.1738-c.1815) completed the work some years later in much of Cao's spirit and also put in his own revelation, which aroused protracted controversy throughout centuries. Exposing social evils, the book cries out denunciation against the feudal system. All techniques of literary merit developed in previous periods have been incorporated into the great work with much originality. It stands out in the world literature ranking with Hamlet and War and Peace."

I'm really looking forward to finding some time to dive into these books, but for now I think they'll have to wait on my shelf (where they look quite nice, I might add).

Just in case I don't post again before Saturday, I'll take this chance to congratulate my brother Stu and new sister Sherri on their upcoming marriage. God's blessings on your lengthy life together.
P.S. Bring me back something good from Britain, like an Oxford prof. or a cathedral or something.

2004-07-05T16:34:00.001-04:00

I'll be garvering for a few days. (Not that anyone would notice, as my brief holiday won't interfere with my pattern of posting.) Off for some camping, armed with the necessities of life (i.e. books) and some other trappings (i.e. CDs, food, drinks). It should be an enjoyable break from Burlington.

In other news, I decided to watch On the Waterfront this past weekend, in memory of Marlon Brando. It's a fine film, with a refreshingly positive portrayal of Christianity. I'll leave you with it's famous bit of dialogue (quoted by Robert De Niro as Jake La Motta in Raging Bull):

Charley Malloy: Look, kid, I - how much you weigh, son? When you weighed one hundred and sixty-eight pounds you were beautiful. You coulda been another Billy Conn, and that skunk we got you for a manager, he brought you along too fast.
Terry Malloy: It wasn't him, Charley, it was you. Remember that night in the Garden you came down to my dressing room and you said, "Kid, this ain't your night. We're going for the price on Wilson." You remember that? "This ain't your night"! My night! I coulda taken Wilson apart! So what happens? He gets the title shot outdoors on the ballpark and what do I get? A one-way ticket to Palooka-ville! You was my brother, Charley, you shoulda looked out for me a little bit. You shoulda taken care of me just a little bit so I wouldn't have to take them dives for the short-end money.
Charley Malloy: Oh I had some bets down for you. You saw some money.
Terry Malloy: You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charley.

2004-06-29T19:38:00.000-04:00

Based on my experience with films, and inspired by this man, 3 Great Actors in No Particular Order

1. Anthony Hopkins- Hopkins is an actor who excels at playing very intelligent characters, from the polymath Charles Morse in The Edge to the chilling Hannibal Lecter of The Silence of the Lambs to C.S. Lewis in Shadowlands, with depth and nuance. He has great range, and is a true pleasure to watch.
Best Performance- Hannibal Lecter, The Silence of the Lambs. A classically disturbing performance, perhaps the greatest villain in any film I've seen.

2. Peter Sellers- I must admit that I haven't seen a lot of Mr. Sellers (a few Pink Panther movies, Being There and Dr. Strangelove). However, I don't think any modern comedic actor comes close to reaching his level. He can play any character, no matter how strange, and somehow make them authentic and hilarious.
Best Performance(s)- Group Captain Lionel Mandrake/President Merkin Muffley/Dr. Strangelove in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Three diverse characters, all hilarious.

3. Al Pacino- Mr. Pacino played a lot of dangerous characters, from Michael Corleone in the Godfather Trilogy to Tony Montana in Scarface to Lefty in Donnie Brasco. He does it perfectly. There is something about his cool performances which suddenly and passionately erupt rhat creates an impressive aura of menace.
Best Performance- Michael Corleone in The Godfather. His descent from being a fine, upstanding war hero to a cold, calculated crimeboss is convincing and frightening.

2004-06-29T19:25:00.000-04:00

Dijkemas and Harsevoorts

Belated congratulations to Brian and Nicole on their marriage this past weekend. I wish you many years of happiness together.

More exciting news: yet another Harsevoort has joined the blogging world! You may now read the thoughts of my youngest brother Stu (who will be known by some of you) at this site. Welcome Stu!

2004-06-22T19:00:00.000-04:00

These Days

At present I am doing the following:

1. Studying the major world religions. I just finished a unit on Native American traditional religion, and am embarassed to say that I think even now I know more about Hinduism and Buddhism than the beliefs of my nieghbours here in North America. Not very good from a perspective of evangelism.

2. Re-reading Yann Martel's Life of Pi, a charming little book with interesting insight into psychology and religion. In the unlikely event that you have not read this book, do so immediately. It has raised some interesting introspection regarding religious pluralism, as the title character lovingly embraces three religions: Hindu, Christianity, and Islam. I am no fan of such pluralism, nor do I expect are many of my readers, and have attacked it as a violation of the law of non-contradiction. However, I'm having second thoughts about such an offensive, since if I force religion to obey reason I do it an injustice and also must throw out a few of my beliefs (i.e. in the Trinity). Hmmmm...

(I must admit that I've taken a break from Marquez's 100 Years of Solitude. [Sorry Mikey] When I began it I was too busy to give it the attention it deserved, and found when I had the time to read a chapter or two here and there all continuity had been lost and all pleasure had left with it. I will have it done before the summer is through, after a suitable break.)

3. Listening to pop music. At the moment Ron Sexsmith has my attention with his top-notch songwriting talents and excellent voice. I moved to Mr. Sexsmith from Rufus Wainwright who is equally talented as an auteur/chanteur/compositeur. Both artists, who sound actually quite similar, are Canadian. I've just been introduced to a new group by my cousin Jan, Tryo. They're a French acoustic Reggae group who sound a little bit like Moxy Fruvous but more serious and in French. Check 'em out if you like laid back, acoustic pop and don't mind French lyrics.

4. Following UEFO Euro2004. Tomorrow is a very big day for the Netherlands. Only if Germany fails to beat the Czech Republic and the Dutch defeat Latvia will the Clockwork Orange progress to the knockout stage. I'm worried, but I don't think the Germans can beat the Czechs so it's all up to the Dutch not to choke against the underdog Latvians. I must say that I'm glad Italy didn't make it past the round robin stage, as I really dislike their star player Francesco Totti.

2004-06-21T18:53:00.000-04:00

Harsevoort & Hunter

This community continues to grow, as my brother John Harsevoort began a blog last week. Exciting! John, a few years older than myself, is responsible for my love of quality Canadian literature and kung-fu movies, among other things.

In other news, last week I was pleased to be invited to and attend an event at Queens Park to hear James Davison Hunter's speech "To Change the World," and a discussion with Prof. Hunter hosted by Redeemer the following day. I must thank one Rich Greydanus for being so kind as to chauffer me there and back again. I owe you one (or two) Rich. For more info on Hunter's ideas see Dr. Koyzis'post of June 19th entitled "How to change a culture" and Rob Joustra's thorough post of June 18th entitled "To Change the World". Although I don't think I can say much those two didn't cover, I do plan to add my two cents on the topic in the near future.

2004-06-15T09:03:00.000-04:00

Miscellany

- Happy birthday to me!

- Not only is this my (and my aunt's) birthday, but as a special treat it is also the first Netherlands game in Euro2004. The Clockwork Orange face Germany in what should be an interesting match. The Dutch are favourites, with all of their immense technical skill, but if the latest World Cup is any indication you can never really count the Germans out. I have decided to tape the match, as it is being shown at 2:30 here and, although I'm home all day, I should be working on my courses. A few high school buddies will be coming down to watch this evening as well. And, hey, if you're reading this before the evening is gone today, feel free to drop by 231 Walkers Line for some fantastic footie.

- I think the coincidence of the long awaited match and my birthday means the boys in Orange are fated to win. There is no other logical explanation.

- I really wish John den Boer and Brian Dijkema would blog again. I check their sites daily and the continual disappointment is killing me. I suppose they have better things to worry about these days, what with engagements and weddings and such.

And now for something completely different:
There's this guy who's hosting a costume party, and one of the visitors comes walking in with a girl on his back. The host, confused, walks up to the guy and asks "You do know this is a costume party, right?" The guy replies "Sure. I'm dressed as a snail." The host, even more confused now, asks "What do you mean you're a snail? You've got a girl on your back!" The guy replies "Ya, that's Michelle."

2004-06-02T19:32:00.000-04:00

As per request: The List of Common Stupid Things People Do When They Encounter People with Disabilities

1. "The Invisible Me"- Here's the scenario: I'm at the mall, with a buddy, looking to pick up a new DVD. I find what I like and head to the check-out with my friend, who comes along to hand me my wallet and/or hand my stuff over if the counter is too high (which is the rule). The cashier doesn't acknowledge me and instead asks my friend whether this will be all, do you want a bag, etc. Even if I answer every question asked, they will continue to be addressed to me friend.

This is pretty common in a wide variety of situations. If someone has to interact with me, and I’m not alone, almost invariably they'll address my companion. It's understandable. A conversation with someone with a major disability can be quite awkward. Communication can be difficult or impossible, and some people in wheelchairs may not look/smell very pleasant. It’s sad, but it’s true. Also, I believe there is a fear of saying something offensive by accident. Those with a recent disability, due to accident for instance, can be especially sensitive.

It might not be easy, all the time, to converse with someone with a severe disability. However, it would be nice if more people made the effort.

2. “Baby Talk”- The scenario: I get introduced to a new member of our church. When chit-chatting with me she smiles constantly, and the tempo of her speech lowers as the volume of her voice grows. She seems to switch vocabularies so no words beyond two syllables are used, and every word is over-enunciated. Phrases like “Good for you,” “Isn’t that nice,” etc., come up very often.

This is a picture of patronization painted with broad strokes. However, a less severe version is quite common, especially among older people. (#1 is more common with younger people.) For me at least, patronization isn’t a huge annoyance or source of frustration. It only comes up with people who don’t know me, so I don’t deal with it a lot. And, at bottom, they’re just trying to be nice without quite knowing the right approach. Patronizers mean well, they’re just a bit ignorant.

I suppose there’s an assumption that those with physical disabilities also have some mental disability. This is true in a lot of situations, but most people I know with severe physical disabilities are “all there.” I’d recommend that, if you were unsure about the mental capacity of someone in a wheelchair, assume that they are of average intelligence. If you’re wrong you’ll soon find out. If you’re right, you’ve avoided playing the fool. Besides, I find that looking at someone’s facial expression and/or eyes gives a pretty good indication of their mental capacity.

3. “Pullin' a Jerry Seinfeld”- Some people, usually strangers, use some awful humour in what is an attempt, I think, to show that they’re totally comfortable with someone who has a disability. I don’t know how many people have chuckled at their incredible wit after warning me that if I don’t slow down I’ll get a speeding ticket.

I suppose it’s some sort of defense mechanism, but who knows. The only thing I know is that it’s not funny (anymore). However, such comedians mean well so what’s the harm.

A Tip- One thing I notice in some people, and have come to appreciate, is an attempt to talk at my level. My eye level, that is. When someone 6-foot 6 goes down on a knee during our conversation so I don’t have to stare up at him the whole time, well, it’s a kind gesture. Not mandatory, but appreciated.

Lest all this complaining distorts the truth, I must say that I have never had any real troubles from anyone I’ve met. I was never teased in Grade School, never ignored in High School, and respected thus far in University. In fact, at least in my own experience, my disability seems to bring out the best in those around me, who are cheerfully helpful whenever I need them to be and more than friendly always. My advice to those who might be reading this (i.e. Redeemer students who know me) is to keep up the fine work. And thanks.

2004-05-27T19:59:00.000-04:00

Sitting on my hard-drive now, taking up 17.5 gigabytes of memory, are 5,000 odd mp3s. My brother (who will be moving out of the house this summer) copied all of his (hundreds of) CDs onto his computer and I've spent the past little while copying them over our little home network.

I love music. A lot. My tastes and my brother's are pretty much identical and rather eclectic. I now have everything from The Beatles to Brahms, from the complete works of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and The Dears to various one hit wonders from the beloved 80s, from the Oh Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack to Dimitri From Paris and Kid Koala to the Pogues to...

Forgive my gushing, but this collection of music at my fingertips, combined with these speakers, will be keeping me in bliss for the foreseeable future.

And now for something completely different:
There's a nudist colony for communists, and two old men are sitting on the front porch. One asks the other "Say, old chap, have you read Marx?" The other replies "Yes, I think it's the wicker furniture."

2004-05-24T14:32:00.000-04:00

...what dreams may come...

Over the weekend I corrected a flaw in myself. Up until this past Saturday I had never read Hamlet. It's shocking, I know. One of the greatest works of literature in the English language, and I had ignored it. I must also admit that this was the first time I read Shakespeare out of the classroom. I hope it is not the last.

I am a huge admirer of good dialogue. The movies I find myself rewatching are usually those with intelligent, entertaining, and quick moving scripts (well delivered, of course). Shakespeare has perhaps the firmest hand in writing dialogue ever, and in Hamlet he is at his best. Wordplay and rapier-sharp wit abound, including many oh-so-clever puns, and Hamlet has some mighty fine soliloquies. This wordsmanship couples with Shakespeare's keen insight into humanity to create complex, layered, but real characters. There's also a plot, but it's nothing special (in fact, in the hands of a lesser playwright it might end up being laughable). It serves to showcase the angst and depression of Hamlet, the wickedness of the King, etc.

I was worried that, having not read Shakespeare for a few years, it would go over my head. Surprisingly, I found it easier to read and comprehend than ever. That is not to say I understood everything--I still don't know whether Hamlet was nuts or just pretending--but I understood everything I had to.

I'm now attempting to memorize Hamlet's (deservedly) famous soliloquy, as follows:

"To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action. - Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember'd."

Anyway, now it's on to Gabriel Garcia Marquez and 100 Years of Solitude.

2004-05-20T18:48:00.000-04:00

A Saturday or two ago I had the distinct pleasure of watching a fine movie with John den Boer and Laurianne, his girlfriend, at my humble abode. The film, Atom Egoyan's Ararat, was well chosen by Mr. den Boer. In it, Egoyan attempts to deal with the Armenian holocaust from an Armenian perspective. The film weaves many interlaced storylines into a vivid tapestry, but in doing so loses a bit of focus and precision. It isn't Schindler's List, but it is a tale well told about an event that recieves too little attention. It, like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, also brought up a few interesting Philosophy of History issues.

But why blog about this now? Well, because I've recently read that my two visitors have become each other's fiance. John and Laurianne, I'm happy to know you both and wish you the best together. I look forward to our next meeting.

2004-05-13T18:51:00.000-04:00

Congratulations and Felicitations

This past Tuesday I attended the graduation of my brother, Stuart Harsevoort, who has just received his Master of Arts (Christian Studies) from McMaster Divinity College, a Baptist institution at Mac. His thesis, which I have not yet read, deals with faith and reason under the title The Non-Foundational Epistemology of Nicholas Wolterstorff. Congratulations, Stu, and all the best on your doctoral studies next year.

At the same convocation, Rev. de Bolster became Dr. de Bolster. For his work in furthering Christian education, especially in the foundation of Redeemer University College, he received an honorary Doctorate of Ministry. (Redeemer profs were in attendance, and I had a nice little chat with Dr. Wolters about Greek class next year.) Congratulations to you as well, Dr. de Bolster, on receiving some well-deserved recognition.

2004-05-05T18:42:00.000-04:00

Esther 6

We've been reading through the book of Esther at the dinner table, and just this evening came to chapter 6. It begins with the king (Xerxes) unable to sleep. He commands some underlings to read to him from the record of his reign, where they come across the story of how Mordecai exposed a plot to assassinate the king. Xerxes asks what reward Mordecai (who, you'll remember, is a Jew and Esther's cousin and guardian) had recieved for his deed. "Nothing has been done for him," comes the reply.

Enter Haman. Haman had been furious at Mordecai's failure to bow before him or show him the great honour he so richly thought he deserved. He had just commissioned the construction of a high gallows and was visiting the king in order to ask for Mordecai's execution. But first, Xerxes has a question: "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?" Haman, being an arragont prick, immediately thinks the king must be talking about him and so describes an elaborate ceremony: the man should be given some of the king's finest robes, be led about on a royal horse by a prince and acclaimed as someone who has the king's special favour.

Xerxes agrees, and drops the bomb on Haman: "Go at once...Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended."

Haman, intending to put Mordecai to a (preferably slow and) gruesome death, ends up dressing him up in finery and leading him about the city on one of the king's horses.

A lover of black comedy, such as myself, cannot help but grin at the immense irony. I never knew God had such a wicked sense of humour...

2004-05-04T10:55:00.000-04:00

Roger Waters, eat your heart out

Because I hadn't been taking a full course load up until this past term I'm taking two summer courses in order to catch up. The first is World Religions, which is quite interesting. The other is Biology, and I can't say I enjoy it as much. I find, though, that with no real deadline until the middle of October it is difficult to get any work done. And so, instead of studying I decided to pen an adaptation of Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2:

I don't got no motivation;
I don't got no thoughts at all.
An empty chasm where my mind was.
Teachers: don't leave me alone.
Hey, teachers: don't leave me all alone!

After all, nothing's due 'til the Fall.
All in all, this might just make my GPA fall.

2004-05-03T17:15:00.000-04:00

Humanities 101

I just came across this article and thought to myself "What a fine idea."

In sum, UBC offers an eight-month crash-course in the liberal arts and social sciences (including English, Philosophy, Art, History, etc.) to the underprivileged from Vancouver's toughest neighbourhood. Apparently it's a smashing success, with 80% of the students graduating each year despite all of the pressures of living well below the poverty line.

We usually think of ministering the stomach and the soul of the poor, with food banks, soup kitchens, and evangelism, but not to the mind. Humanities 101 is a good corrective of this oversight. I wonder why Toronto or Hamilton doesn't run such a program...

2004-04-29T17:27:00.000-04:00

What a gorgeous day today. I managed to get my work done early, and just spent an hour or two reading Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum in my sunny backyard. It's quite an entertaining read, yet sufficiently intelligent to steer clear of being a guilty pleasure.

It would have been an ideal afternoon, if it hadn't been for the wind, which made it difficult to keep my place, and the gnats which continually attempted to mate on my page. The bugs were annoying me, until I remembered their two week lifespan. I figured that they'd better live it up while it lasts. Mate with impunity, gnats, but know that soon your day shall come.

2004-04-21T22:09:00.000-04:00

Just in case you're curious...A brief intro to SMA and me.

I am handicapped (or disabled--I can never quite remember which one's politically correct). Either way, I have a disease. As you will all likely know, I am confined to a wheelchair and severely physically limited. I was diagnosed at age one with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a genetic disease which affects "voluntary muscles for activities such as crawling, walking, head and neck control and swallowing." To put it simply, messages from my brain to my muscles don't always make it. It is a degenerative disease, which means its all downhill from here physically speaking, but the descent is so slow and gradual to be almost unnoticeable from month to month. Along with it comes a susceptibility to respiratory illness, especially pneumonia.

SMA is a pretty serious disease, I suppose. But, after some thought, I've come to the conclusion that it really isn't as bad as it sounds or seems. In the first place, I can function quite well in the modern world. I still have both social and mental abilities. Physically I'm pretty useless, but thanks to modern technology this is no longer a big deal. I have mobility in a wheelchair, computer technology to allow me to take part in school, and so on. And although I am physically weakened by SMA I suffer no pain or discomfort at all.

Secondly, I have a loving, caring family who are good to me far beyond what I deserve. My mother, especially, has sacrificed countless hours getting me up every morning, making sure I'm eating well, putting me to bed each night, etc., etc. In everything my family puts my needs before their own, to the point that I'm pretty sure that I have a hugely inflated idea of my own worth. Not just my immediate family either. My extended family has been a blessing to me beyond value. As has my church community, and, of course, my friends. Everyone around me is happily willing to help me out in any way. In fact, I’m convinced that being in a wheelchair has made life easier for me rather than harder in many ways.

Thirdly, and most importantly, God has adopted me into his family and blessed me richly. Without his promises of renewal, of new bodies and a new earth, it might not be so easy to shrug off a physical disability. A man I used to attend church with, who was paralyzed in a trucking accident, told a story that illustrates this nicely. In rehab, where the paralyzed have to learn to live with their limitations, he said there are two kinds of people: those who have or join the Christian faith, and those who commit suicide. I’ve never, ever contemplated suicide. In fact, I’ve never struggled with my disease at all (besides a few moments in youth when I wished I could climb a tree). The ultimate reason for this is because God has been good to me. I have SMA, God gave me what I needed to deal with it now and he will restore me in the life to come.

Hallelujah.

2004-04-21T21:52:00.000-04:00

Halfway there...

50% of my undergrad is now behind me. This fact leaves me both elated, and nervous. I can't say I regret finishing my last exam this morning, but the thought of being done school terrifies me. I don't mind having the summer off, but to think that, D.V., in two short years I'll be leaving Redeemer behind! It's scary stuff.

Not that after my undergrad degree I'm leaving academia for good. I'm quite convinced that a Masters Degree would be a fun thing to pursue (although in what field I have not yet decided). But my time at Redeemer thus far has been stimulating, rewarding, and enjoyable. I'm not going to want to leave when the time comes. If only tuition was halved I think I might stick around for a (long) while. I'd really love to do a triple-honours (religion, history, english) along with a double major (philosophy, poli. sci.) But I suppose my time at Redeemer is one of those good things that must come to an end.

Not yet, thankfully.

2004-04-15T16:55:00.000-04:00

There's nothin' like studying Modern Political Theory while listening to Gregorian Chant. Nothin' like it at all.

2004-04-11T19:34:00.000-04:00

PHL355 and the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

This past Friday evening I caught Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (@IMDB or @rottentomatoes) before it ended its theatrical run. Highly recommended, especially to all those with me in Philosophy of History this term.

The plot centres around a broken relationship. The question the film asks and answers is whether sorrowful memories caused by such a failed relationship are worth keeping. Nietzsche would answer in the negative, of which the film is aware. A character quotes a line from Beyond Good and Evil: "Blessed are the forgetful, for they get the better even of their blunders." Eternal Sunshine is a highly entertainig refutation of Nietzsche. See it.

I'll leave you with the source of the films (great) title:

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;
Labour and rest, that equal periods keep;
"Obedient slumbers that can wake and weep;"
Desires compos'd, affections ever ev'n,
Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to Heav'n.
-- Alexander Pope, "Eloisa to Abelard" (1717)

2004-04-08T21:43:00.000-04:00

The Last Day

- Today was the last day of classes at Redeemer University College. It was bittersweet. I must admit a great feeling of relief upon handing in my last paper, but also a bit of grief as my last class (Modern Political Theory with Dr. Koyzis) drew to a close.

- On a lighter note, I noticed that William Hung had his album released. For those of you who aren't in the know, he is a failed American Idol contestant, whose spirited but pitiful presentation of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" drew the thumbs-down from the judges but won the hearts of viewers. He became such a pop culture phenomenon that he was signed to a record deal, and produced Inspiration.

I'm ashamed to admit that I saw his American Idol appearance. He had a refreshingly upbeat attitude, but he can't sing at all. He admits it openly. He also has horrible taste in music, it seems. His album of covers includes "She Bangs" "Bailamos" and various other pop tracks that shouldn't have been recorded once, not to mention twice. (Although, to be fair, he also butchers The Eagles' "Hotel California" and Elton John's "Rocket Man" which were both excellent songs.)

The reason I'm interested in the William Hung phenomenon is that, like him, I have no musical talent. I figure this qualifies me for a record deal. If you guys don't see me at Redeemer next year, it's probably because I'm recording my debut album: Travesty

2004-03-30T18:39:00.000-05:00

My Three Favourite Film Critics (in no particular order):

Roger Ebert- I like Ebert for two reasons: he knows and loves movies, and he's an entertaining writer. Surprising for a critic of his fame, Ebert also seems to lack snooty pretensions and is able to enjoy Hollywood blockbusters as much as Iranian character studies (provided he's in the right mood).
Sample Reviews: Good & Bad

James Berardinelli- Berardinelli may not have Ebert's way with words, but his taste is impeccable and his reviews are quite intelligent. His thoughts are well argued and I usually find myself agreeing with him.
Sample Reviews: Good & Bad

Steven D. Greydanus- Greydanus, a Catholic, is a critic I began to read after stumbling across his thoughts on Bergman's The Seventh Seal at rottentomatoes.com. He's the finest Chrsitain critic I've read (others I've come across simply look for sex/profanity/violence and condemn it all without a second thought). He grades movies on two axes- moral/spiritual value as well as artistic value- and recommends only those films which score highly in both areas. (Since you're probably wondering, Steven Greydanus is no relative of Rich Greydanus.)
Sample Reviews: Good & Bad

2004-03-23T14:39:00.000-05:00

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in
waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht
the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total
mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the
huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe
and the biran fguiers it out aynawy.

2004-03-22T21:30:00.000-05:00

It has been too long...

I was reading John den Boer's blog the other day, and was intrigued by the "interesting question," as follows: "Of all the people in the world that you haven't met which living person would you want to sit down and chat with?"

There are many interesting responses given (ranging from Osama bin Laden to Jesus), and I thought I'd weigh in with my own: Robert J. Fischer, World Chess Champion.

Bobby Fischer, by all accounts, was a genius. He coupled a photographic memory with an intense desire to win and presumably could've succeeded in anything he chose. He chose chess, and by the time he was 15 was an International Grandmaster. In 1971 Fischer defeated Russian Boris Spassky, the reigning World Champion, and became the first American to hold the title.

In 1975, Fischer had to defend his title against Karpov. When the match organizers didn't give in to his demands to reorganize the competition procedure, Bobby Fischer made "the most interesting move" ever: he resigned his title and disappeared. He didn't publicly play chess for twenty years.

In 1992, Bobby Fischer resurfaced, re-defeated Spassky, and disappeared again. Since then he was heard from in 1996 (promoting his chess variant called Fischer Random Chess) and in a series of radio interviews from Hungary, the Philippines, and Iceland.

There are a few reasons I'd like to meet and talk with Bobby Fischer. First of all, I love chess and Fischer is hailed as the greatest player ever (rated at 2780). Secondly, I'm not very good at chess so I figure I could get some tips and pointers. And thirdly, I can't think of a more interesting person, off-hand.

As a brief aside, there's a wonderful movie called Searching for Bobby Fischer that any lover of chess and/or good cinema should see. It's based on the life of the more recent chess prodigy, Josh Waitzkin, and stars Joe Montegna and the great Ben Kingsley. Highly recommended.

2004-03-12T16:33:00.000-05:00

How 'bout that Hegel...

For the Philosophy of History term paper, I've chosen to write on Francis Fukuyama's The End of History and the Last Man. In it, Fukuyama argues that with the universal recognition of liberal democracy as the sole legitimate ideology/government, the dialectical process of History has come to an end. Fukuyama is greatly influenced by Hegel, and yet his thesis is un-Hegelian. In the first place, the dialectical process cannot halt itself. And secondly, it implies that we can understand History as it happens.

These points of criticism are to be the main part of my essay, but I'm having troubles with Hegel. I think I have a love/hate relationship with ol' G. W. F.: I admire the grand thoughts and ideas found in his works, but I hate reading them. Hegel's writings are like cement- foundational, but really hard to get through.

I've been trying to prove, from reading Hegel, that the dialectic cannot end and that "history happens behind our backs". I'm looking for the key quote that'll provide the final proof that I'm right and Fukuyama's wrong. I'm getting a head-ache. And confused...

2004-03-08T08:48:00.000-05:00

Groucho Says:

I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception.

I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it.

Military justice is to justice what military music is to music.

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.

I do not care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members.

I have nothing but confidence in you. And very little of that.

2004-03-01T21:25:00.000-05:00

Two Christian Blockbusters

I saw The Passion of the Christthis past Friday, and although I am critical of quite a few aspects of the film (i.e. the pervasive Catholic theology, the amount of extra-Biblical material included, etc.) I think it accomplished what I thought to be its limited aim (namely, to give the viewer a more visceral realization of Christ's suffering in the hours before his crucifixion). I'd recommend the film to any Christian with a critical mind and a strong stomach. I won't endorse the film as strongly as many Catholic and Evangelical Christians are, or for evangelism, but I'm glad I saw it.

However, I'm even happier to read that The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King got some well deserved recognition at the Academy Awards last night, winning all 11 Oscars it was nominated for including best picture and best director. I'm pleased to hear this not only because I enjoyed the film a great deal, which I did, but also because, subtly, it is no less a Christian film than Gibson's latest.

2004-02-24T17:02:00.000-05:00

I plan to see Gibson's The Passion of Christ this Friday evening, but am struggling with some objections I've heard. Rev. George van Popta of the Canadian Reformed Church at Ancaster believes that the film, in portraying Christ, breaks the second and third commandments. My parents tell me that it is a needless, sensational portrayal of violence (in order to create publicity, I suppose), a profane mix between Braveheart and sacred Scripture.

Now I have to decide what I think...

2004-02-21T14:42:00.000-05:00

Clearly not for faint of art
DAVE BARRY

Whenever I write about art, I get mail from the Serious Art Community informing me that I am a clueless idiot. So let me begin by stipulating that I am a clueless idiot. This is probably why I was unable to appreciate a work of art I viewed recently, titled: Chair.

I saw Chair at Art Basel, a big art show held recently in Miami Beach. It attracted thousands of Serious Art People, who wear mostly black outfits and can maintain serious expressions no matter what work of art they are viewing.

This is hard, because a lot of Serious Art consists of bizarre or startlingly unattractive objects, or ''performances'' wherein artists do something Conceptual, such as squirt Cheez Whiz into an orifice that has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for snack toppings.

But no matter what the art is, a Serious Art Person will view it with the somber expression of a radiologist examining X-rays of a tumor.

Whereas an amateur will eventually give himself away by laughing; or saying ''Huh?''; or (this is the most embarrassing) asking an art-gallery person: ''Is this wastebasket a piece of art? Or can I put my gum wrapper in it?''

But back to Art Basel: I didn't go to the main show. I went to an officially sanctioned satellite show called ''Art Positions,'' which was a group of large, walk-in shipping containers set up on the beach, serving as mini art galleries. Serious Art People drifted blackly from container to container, solemnly examining the tumors.

I managed not to say anything stupid until I encountered a slide projector sitting on the floor, projecting a rectangle of white light and twitching lens dust onto the wall. I asked the gallery person if there was supposed to be a slide in the projector; he patiently explained that, no, this was a work of art titled Autofocus Slide Projector Dust. I didn't ask why it was on the floor, because I didn't want to make a total fool of myself.

In another container there was a work of art consisting of a video, repeated over and over, showing a man -- not in peak physical condition, I might add -- rollerblading around a vast empty space, stark naked. I'm proud to say I betrayed no emotion while viewing this work, although my daughter, who is 3, said, quite loudly: ``You can see his tushy! Yuck!''

She is young, and has no art training.

Anyway, in the corner of one container there was a ratty old collapsed armchair -- worn, dirty, leaking stuffing, possibly housing active vermin colonies. I asked the gallery person if the chair was art, and she said yes, it was a work titled Chair. I asked her what role the artist had played in creating Chair. She said: ''He found it.'' She noted that Chair had been professionally crated and shipped to the art show.

Chair is for sale. The price is $2,800. Really. I looked up Chair on a Serious Art Internet site, artcritical.com, which said: ''The chair offers not a weedy patina of desuetude but an apotheosis of its former occupant.'' ( http://www.artcritical.com/blurbs/JSMcMillian.htm )

See, I missed that altogether, about the desuetude and the apotheosis. I thought it was just a crappy old junk chair some guy took off a trash pile and was now trying to sell for 2,800 clams.

I was also baffled by an artwork called Moonwalk, presented by a Paris art gallery. You walked into the gallery/container, and it was empty, just blank white walls. Around the ceiling were a half-dozen speakers making a high-pitched sonar sound, like this: ''boop.'' That was the art: ''boop.'' Sitting outside on a folding chair was a gallery person, smoking Marlboros. I wondered what it would be like to fly all the way from Paris to Miami, only to spend four days sitting outside an empty shipping container going ''boop.'' I would go insane. I would have an apotheosis of freaking desuetude.

In another container, there was a work that consisted of a hole drilled in the floor, and some weeds stuck in it. I believe the price on that was $6,000. While I was examining it, I heard one Serious Art Person say to another (I swear): ``Wouldn't that be wonderful in the foyer?''

I want to state, for the record, that there was also some very nice-looking art on display. And I want to repeat that I am a clueless idiot. So you Serious Art People don't need to write letters reminding me. I agree that you know MUCH more about art than I do, OK?

So YOU buy the chair.

2004-02-19T22:07:00.000-05:00

Quotes on Canada:

The great themes of Canadian history are as follows: Keeping the Americans out, keeping the French in, and trying to get the Natives to somehow disappear.
- Will Ferguson

In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect.
- Bill Clinton

Canadians have been so busy explaining to the Americans that we aren't British, and to the British that we aren't Americans that we haven't had time to become Canadians.
- Helen Gordon McPherson

Canadian nationalism is a subtle, easily misunderstood but powerful reality, expressed in a way that is not too state directed - something like a beer commercial or the death of a significant Canadian figure.
- Paul Kopas

I don't even know what street Canada is on.
- Al Capone

We'll explain the appeal of curling to you if you explain the appeal of the National Rifle Association to us.
- Andy Barrie

What is a Canadian? A Canadian is a fellow wearing English tweeds, a Hong Kong shirt and Spanish shoes, who sips Brazilian coffee sweetened with Philippine sugar from a Bavarian cup while nibbling Swiss cheese, sitting at a Danish desk over a Persian rug, after coming home in a German car from an Italian movie... and then writes his Member of Parliament with a Japanese ballpoint pen on French paper, demanding that he do something about foreigners taking away our Canadian jobs.
- Anonymous

2004-02-12T18:29:00.000-05:00

BARBIE AND KEN, AFTER 43 YEARS, HAVE ENDED THEIR RELATIONSHIP

I heard this ridiculous bit of news on the radio as I returned home today. Apparently Ken just couldn't commit, and Barbie didn't have time in her busy schedule to make the relationship work. My first thoughts upon hearing the headline was "Who cares?" and "How is this important enough to make the news?"

However, after a bit more thinking I realized that my initial reaction was naive. After all, as a reader of the Hamilton Spectator I should know how momentous are the relationships of the rich and famous. I've been hearing every detail of J-Lo and Ben's lives together. Are these two less vacuous, less plastic than their Mattel counterpart? Not by much, I'm afraid...

2004-02-11T22:00:00.000-05:00

3 Great Movies:

The Godfather Pt. 1- What can I say about the Godfather? I could talk about the astounding cast and performances, including the sublime young Al Pacino. I could rave about the plot that manages to present us with the complex fall and rise of the Corleones without dumbing anything down and without any confusing loose ends. I could gush about the baptism/assassination scene (one of my all time favourites). Instead I'll just say that this is a great movie.

The Princess Bride- I think only one movie I've seen has better dialogue than The Princess Bride, but it doesn't equal Rob Reiner's masterpiece. The Princess Bride is hilarious. It's charming. It can be watched over and over again without losing any of its magic; in fact, the more I watch this movie, the more I love it. Inigo Montoya's catchphrase is immortal, as is Vizzini's recurring exclamation (in fact, I can no longer say "inconceivable" without a slight lisp). Westley and Buttercup have great fairy-tale chemistry, Rugen and Humperdinck are chillingly villainous, Andre the Giant is surprisingly great, the list goes on and on...This has been a favourite of mine for years.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon- Ang Lee's masterpiece is a favourite of mine on two levels. First of all, the regular stuff: the plot is interesting, the acting is surprisingly good (especially considering that Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat are primarily action stars), and Zhang Ziyi is excellent in her stunning debut. The cinematography and visuals are stunning, especially in the desert subplot. But the second level might be more important to me, being a fan of Kung Fu movies: the action, expertly choreographed by Yuen Woo Ping, is exhilratingly paced and gracefully presented. The first fight between Yeoh and the thief is different from most but inferior to none, except perhaps their later fight in Yeoh's home base. These two levels are fit together seamlessly to create a cinema dream-come-true: a top notch big-budget Kung Fu movie with plot, acting, and depth.

2004-02-08T22:47:00.000-05:00

This whole blogging thing is really easy! Maybe a little too easy, but more on that some other time...For now, I will close with the memorable words of HAL9000, the inspiration for the name and description of this blog:

"I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that." (from Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey")